A new study has found that the climate crisis contributed to approximately 15,000 deaths in the United States between 2006 and 2020 due to exposure to fine particulate matter from wildfires. The research, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, also estimated economic costs of around $160bn from these deaths.
The study focused on PM2.5 particles, which can lodge deep in the lungs and cause both short-term irritation and long-term health problems, including chronic and deadly conditions. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable. The annual death toll ranged from 130 to 5,100, with the highest numbers in states like Oregon and California.
Researchers used modelled data to isolate the impact of climate change on wildfire activity and subsequent smoke exposure. They compared real climate conditions during wildfires from 2006 to 2020 with a scenario without human-caused climate change. Of the 164,000 total wildfire-related PM2.5 deaths in that period, 10% were attributed to the climate crisis, with some western states seeing 30-50% higher mortality.
Experts not involved in the study noted its significance in isolating climate change's effect on mortality. However, some questioned the link between burned area and smoke exposure due to wind variability. The study's authors emphasised that their approach was sensible and reasonable, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of wildfires beyond those directly affected.
