Sierra Club is reporting that wildfire smoke, which recently placed more than 100 million Americans under air quality alerts, poses significant health risks, primarily due to microscopic PM2.5 particles. These particles can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, with the smallest ones, PM2.5, being particularly dangerous and associated with increased mortality rates.
The Sierra magazine article highlights that individuals over 65, under five, or with underlying health issues face even greater risks. Alex Steiner, a Washington, D.C., resident with lung issues and long Covid, experienced immediate symptoms like headaches and burning sensations after brief exposure to smoke, with her home air quality monitor showing PM2.5 levels well above EPA limits.
Medical experts, such as allergist Neeta Ogden, compare the inhalation of PM2.5 from wildfire smoke to smoking a cigarette due to shared harmful ingredients. The Sierra Club notes that days of wildfire smoke are becoming more common globally, with incidents expected to increase by 50 percent by 2100, largely attributed to climate change making environments drier and more prone to ignition.