5 ways wildfires can harm your health

2025-08-12 09:36:00, Shëndeti CNA

Smoke from forest fires appears to be more harmful than other types of air pollution when it comes to our health.

Smoke and flames can cause high levels of air pollution, which are harmful to human health and can spread thousands of kilometers away from the fire.

Smoke from forest fires also appears to be more harmful than other types of air pollution when it comes to our health, although research on its long-term impact is limited.

Children, the elderly, people with certain health problems, and outdoor workers are at higher risk for complications.

Even after they are under control, fires can affect people's well-being, for example, by making it difficult for them to access healthcare services.

Here are five ways wildfires can affect human health - and how you can protect yourself if you are affected by smoke.

1. Respiratory irritation

Smoke from forest fires is full of tiny air pollutants, including fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. It can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing coughing fits, chest pain, and burning eyes.

Exposure can also worsen asthma and has been linked to pneumonia.

2. Organ damage

Experts believe that PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream, cause inflammation and affect other parts of the body, including the heart. Exposure to smoke has been linked to a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack.

Beyond the impact on the lungs and heart, PM2.5 from forest fire smoke can cause and worsen problems with the skin, intestines, kidneys, eyes, nose, and liver, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

3. Mental health problems

Forest fires can be traumatic. Victims are at higher risk of depression, insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the European Environment Agency (EEA). The impact on mental health can be immediate or long-term.

Meanwhile, research published this week found that after devastating fires on the Hawaiian island of Maui in 2023, the rate of suicide and overdose deaths almost doubled.

4. Brain performance

Smoke from wildfires can lead to cognitive impairment and memory loss, the WHO said. In a study published last year, the more people were exposed to wildfire pollutants over time, the more likely they were to be diagnosed with dementia.

In another study, researchers found that adults had shorter attention spans within just a few hours of exposure to forest smoke pollution.

5. Cancer

Long-term exposure to smoke from wildfires may increase the risk of lung cancer and brain tumors, although more research is needed on this topic.

A comprehensive review in 2022, for example, found that PM2.5 and other chemicals often found in wildfire smoke were linked to cancer, based on studies that showed high cancer risks among firefighters and people in the western United States, where wildfires are common.

How can I protect myself from forest fire smoke?

If wildfire smoke reaches you, there are steps you can take to minimize its impact on your health.

In parts of France affected by the fires, local authorities are urging residents and tourists to stay in their homes unless they are told to evacuate.

Meanwhile, IQAir, a Swiss company that monitors air quality, recommends that people close doors and windows, set their heating and cooling systems to recirculate indoor air, and consider using an air purifier.

It says people should try to stay indoors and wear a KN95 mask if they have to leave the house./ CNA