Riya Baibhawi

Worst Wildfire In US History: Here's How Smoke Impacts People's Health

LA Fires

Palisadas fire is wrecking havoc in Los Angeles and its vicinity. As per the latest reports, at least five people have died from the fire, several others have been injured and the famous Hollywood hills have been evacuated. While authorities are pulling all stops to control the fire, it has already spread to over 17,200 acres. Health experts, meanwhile, have warned that pollutants from these wildfires can travel miles and can affect people. 

<h2>How Does Smoke From Wildfires Impact Your Lungs?</h2>

Wildfires are recurrent in US and Canada, burning more than 9.8 million acres just last year. As blazes continue to engulf LA, people are being warned about its impact on health. 

Primarily, the smoke from these wildfires can be extremely harmful to the lungs, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma, COPD and bronchitis or a chronic heart disease or diabetes. Even if you don't live near wooded areas, you can learn more on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. 

One of the many pollutants found in wildfire smoke is particle pollution, which is a mix of very tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in air. How tiny? Many of the particles in wildfire smoke are no larger than one third the diameter of your hair. These particles are so small that they enter and lodge deep in the lungs.

Particle pollution triggers asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes—and can kill. Studies of children in California found that children who breathed the smoky air during wildfires had more coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, colds, and were more likely to have to go to the doctor or to the hospital for respiratory causes, especially from asthma.

Another threat from forest fire smoke is carbon monoxide(CO)—a colorless, odorless gas most common during the smoldering stages of a fire and in close proximity to the fire. Inhaling CO reduces oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues and can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness and, in high concentrations, premature death.

<h2>US Already Battered With HMPV</h2>The fires are ablaze in the US at the same time as it is dealing with the viral outbreak of the Human Metaneumovirus (HMPV). This virus directly attacks the respiratory system of the body. Therefore, the pollutants and toxic gasses from these fires are a double attack on one's body, and require a large and more intense immune response. 

<strong>In Detail: How HMPV impacts your body</strong>

 After entering the body, HMPV virus attaches to the epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract, which includes airways and the lungs. These cells form a protective barrier in the airways, helping to guard the respiratory system while clearing mucus, dust, and other debris. When the body's immune system recognizes this virus, it launches a counter attack, causing inflammation and other symptoms like fever, nasal congestion and cough. In a recent statement, <span>CDC</span> said that it is estimated that about 10% to 12% of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV. Most people will get HMPV at some point before age 5, and then reinfections can occur throughout life.

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Palisadas fire is wrecking havoc in Los Angeles and its vicinity. As per the latest reports, at least five people have died from the fire, several others have been injured and the famous Hollywood hills have been evacuated. While authorities are pulling all stops to control the fire, it has already spread to over 17,200 acres. Health experts, meanwhile, have warned that pollutants from these wildfires can travel miles and can affect people. How Does Smoke From Wildfires Impact Your Lungs?Wildfires are recurrent in US and Canada, burning more than 9.8 million acres just last year. As blazes continue to engulf LA, people are being warned about its impact on health. Primarily, the smoke from these wildfires can be extremely harmful to the lungs, especially for children, older adults and those with asthma, COPD and bronchitis or a chronic heart disease or diabetes. Even if you don't live near wooded areas, you can learn more on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. One of the many pollutants found in wildfire smoke is particle pollution, which is a mix of very tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in air. How tiny? Many of the particles in wildfire smoke are no larger than one third the diameter of your hair. These particles are so small that they enter and lodge deep in the lungs.Particle pollution triggers asthma attacks, heart attacks and strokes—and can kill. Studies of children in California found that children who breathed the smoky air during wildfires had more coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, colds, and were more likely to have to go to the doctor or to the hospital for respiratory causes, especially from asthma.Another threat from forest fire smoke is carbon monoxide(CO)—a colorless, odorless gas most common during the smoldering stages of a fire and in close proximity to the fire. Inhaling CO reduces oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues and can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness and, in high concentrations, premature death.US Already Battered With HMPVThe fires are ablaze in the US at the same time as it is dealing with the viral outbreak of the Human Metaneumovirus (HMPV). This virus directly attacks the respiratory system of the body. Therefore, the pollutants and toxic gasses from these fires are a double attack on one's body, and require a large and more intense immune response. In Detail: How HMPV impacts your body After entering the body, HMPV virus attaches to the epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract, which includes airways and the lungs. These cells form a protective barrier in the airways, helping to guard the respiratory system while clearing mucus, dust, and other debris. When the body's immune system recognizes this virus, it launches a counter attack, causing inflammation and other symptoms like fever, nasal congestion and cough. In a recent statement, CDC said that it is estimated that about 10% to 12% of respiratory illnesses in children are caused by HMPV. Most people will get HMPV at some point before age 5, and then reinfections can occur throughout life.