Study: Wildfire smoke exposure increases risk of dementia

New research has found that exposure to wildfire smoke increases the risk of being diagnosed with dementia.

Scientists studied the health records of more than 1.2 million Southern Californians over 10 years, and found that wildfire smoke is more damaging to brain health than air pollution from cars and factories. They presented their research at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia.

The new research was released as the Park Fire burns in Northern California, becoming the 6th largest fire in state history. It also comes as California's fire season is getting longer and starting earlier, in part due to climate change.

Wildfire smoke worse than other types of pollution

A summary of the study said that wildfires produce microscopic "fine particulate matter." Cars and factories emit the same type of pollution, but the research found that wildfire particulate matter is more damaging to brain health.

Dr. Holly Elser, study author and a neurology resident at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, said in a statement that wildfire smoke might be worse than other types of pollution because of higher temperatures, smaller particles and "a greater concentration of toxic chemicals." But she said more research on this is needed.

She also said that air pollution from wildfires makes up more than 70% of exposure to this type of particulate in California on days when air quality is poor.

"This is a real problem," Elser said.

Researchers said the findings were "most pronounced" for people of color and people living in poverty.

What you can do to protect yourself

The study's authors said that home air filtration systems, staying indoors, and N95 masks can help protect from the worst of wildfire smoke. But Claire Sexton with the Alzheimer's Association said in a statement that preventing wildfires is critical for brain health, too.

“With the rising global incidence of wildfires, including in California and the western U.S., exposure to this type of air pollution is an increasing threat to brain health,” she said.

Our colleagues at NPR recently had these tips for protecting yourself:

• Check the Air Quality Index at AirNow.gov or PurpleAir.com.
  
  • If the AQI is above 100, avoid outdoor exercise.
  • If it’s above 150, wear a tight-fitting N95 mask when you’re outside.
  • Run your air conditioner with a high-efficiency filter installed — the EPA recommends MERV 13 or above — or use a portable HEPA air purifier. (The EPA provides instructions for making your own HEPA air cleaner with a box fan, here.)

Read more: Here's who is most at risk from wildfire smoke and how to protect yourself

Learn more: Listen to our Big Burn podcast

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As the world enters a new age of wildfires, science reporter Jacob Margolis dives deep into personal stories that illuminate the history of how we got here, why we keep screwing things up, and what we can do to survive and maybe even thrive while the world around us burns.

The Big Burn: The New Normal

As the world enters a new age of wildfires, science reporter Jacob Margolis dives deep into personal stories that illuminate the history of how we got here, why we keep screwing things up, and what we can do to survive and maybe even thrive while the world around us burns.

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