Study: Wildfire smoke pollution causes thousands of U.S. deaths annually

A new study published in Science Advances links chronic wildfire smoke exposure to an average of 24,100 deaths annually in the U.S. from 2006 to 2020, primarily due to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Researchers emphasize the increasing health risks posed by wildfire smoke, exacerbated by climate change and forest mismanagement. The study highlights that vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, and it reveals significant associations between PM2.5 exposure and various health issues, particularly neurological diseases. As wildfires become more frequent, the impact of their smoke on public health is a growing concern.