Smoke from wildfires may have a worse effect on brain health than other types of air pollution. A new study links choking smoke to an increased risk of dementia. AFPThe findings were announced Monday at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Philadelphia, where millions were breathing in the air from smoky wildfires in the western United States over the weekend.
The question is about fine particulate matter (or PM2.5) – tiny particles about 30 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair that can be inhaled deep into the lungs and from there enter the bloodstream. This pollution, caused by traffic, factories and fires, can cause or worsen heart and lung disease.
According to the new study, there is more evidence to support that it may also play a role in the development of dementia.
The researchers tracked health data for 1.2 million seniors in Southern California between 2009 and 2019. Air quality monitoring and other data were used to estimate residential exposure to PM2.5 particles over three years due to wildfire smoke or other causes.
According to the study, the chance of a new dementia diagnosis increased by 21 percent for every 1-microgram increase in wildfire particulate matter concentration. For every 3-microgram jump in non-wildfire particulate matter, the risk increased by 3 percent, according to researchers from the University of Washington and the University of Pennsylvania.
It is not clear why this difference exists, but as wildfires become more common, this warrants further investigation.
“Especially since the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is higher among people with lower incomes, who may have a harder time avoiding unhealthy air,” said Maria Carrillo, chief scientific officer of the Alzheimer’s Association.
He noted that health warnings encourage people to stay home when air quality is poor, but “there are a lot of people who don't have the option of staying home or working outside.”
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