The latest research from the Alzheimer’s Association in the United States shows that exposure to wildfire smoke may increase the risk of dementia.
This study, which lasted for 10 years, surveyed over 1.2 million residents in Southern California. Claire Sexton, Senior Director of Scientific Programs and Research at the Association, stated in a press release, “With the increasing global incidence of wildfires, especially in California and the western United States, this air pollution poses an increasingly serious threat to brain health.”
California has long been plagued by wildfires. The recent park wildfires destroyed parts of Tehama and Butte counties in northern Sacramento, with the burned area reaching nearly 390,000 acres by the end of July.
These wildfires have forced California residents to be exposed to air pollution, including fine particulate matter PM2.5. The study found that the association between exposure to wildfire smoke and the increased risk of dementia is more significant compared to other sources of pollution, such as vehicle emissions or factory emissions.
The Alzheimer’s Association pointed out that researchers found that the probability of dementia diagnosis increased by 21% after three years of exposure to PM2.5.
Researchers analyzed over a million health records of Kaiser Permanente members aged 60 and above in Southern California from 2009 to 2019, combining satellite images and air quality monitoring data.
Dr. Holly Elser, a neurology resident at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and one of the study’s authors, mentioned in a statement that air pollution generated by wildfires is the primary source of PM2.5 exposure for Californians, accounting for over 70%.
Elser pointed out that particles generated by California wildfires are particularly dangerous for three reasons: they are produced at higher temperatures, have smaller particle sizes compared to other particles, and contain higher concentrations of toxic chemicals.
In order to reduce the health risks posed by wildfire pollution, the Alzheimer’s Association specifically emphasizes experts’ recommendations to update home air filtration systems, stay indoors as much as possible during smoky weather, and wear N95 respirator masks when going outside.