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  1. Home
  2. Wildfire Smoke and Your Patients' Health
  3. Public Health Impacts of Wildlife Smoke Exposure

Health Effects Attributed to Wildfire Smoke

Doctor counseling patient in doctor's office setting

Although particle pollution is a principal public health threat from short-and longer-term exposure to wildfire smoke, it is important to keep in mind that wildfire smoke is a complex mixture that consists of other pollutants that have also been shown to lead to a variety of health effects. The health effects of particle pollution exposure can range from relatively minor (e.g., eye and respiratory tract irritation) to more serious health effects (e.g., exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death).

Fine particles are respiratory irritants, and exposures to high concentrations can cause persistent coughing, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.  Even in healthy people, exposures to fine particles can potentially lead to transient reductions in lung function, and pulmonary inflammation.

Particle pollution may also affect the body’s ability to remove inhaled foreign materials, such as viruses and bacteria, from the lungs. Short-term exposures (i.e., days to weeks) to fine particles are associated with increased risk of exacerbation of pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, as well as premature mortality (U.S. EPA, 2009).

The examination of persistent short-term exposures to wildfire smoke (i.e., exposures over a series of days up to a few weeks) has been limited to a few epidemiologic studies examining the cumulative effect of wildfire smoke exposure on the health of wildland firefighters (Adetona et al. 2016). Initial evidence indicates that continuous (i.e., over multiple days) occupational wildland fire smoke exposure may have a cumulative effect on lung function, with some studies reporting a progressive decline during burn seasons (e.g., Adetona et al. 2016). However, it is unclear if this decline persists across off-seasons and it is difficult to compare a wildland firefighter’s occupational exposure and resulting health effects to those experienced by the general population. But certainly, more caution is warranted during extended exposures.

Health Effects Attributed to Wildfire Smoke Exposure
Short-term exposures (i.e., over a few days)

Irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract

Respiratory symptoms

  • Coughing
  • Phlegm
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing

Respiratory effects

  • Bronchitis
  • Reduced lung function
  • Increased risk of asthma exacerbation and aggravation of other lung diseases
  • Increased risk of emergency room visits and hospital admissions

Cardiovascular effects

  • Heart failure
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Increased risk of emergency room visits and hospital admissions

Increased risk of premature death

Cumulative short-term exposures (i.e., over multiple days up to a few weeks)

Reduction in lung function*
Long-term exposures ----**

*Information only available from a study of wildland fire fighters.

**Studies have not evaluated the health effects attributed to wildfire smoke exposure over multiple seasons.

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Wildfire Smoke and Your Patients' Health

  • About the Wildfire Smoke Course
  • Public Health Impacts of Wildlife Smoke Exposure
    • Health Concerns
    • Health Effects
    • Who is at Increased Risk?
  • Co-Exposure with Extreme Heat
    • Challenges in Smoke Prediction
    • Importance of Patient Education
    • The Air Quality Index
  • Reducing Exposure
    • Preparing for Fire Season
    • Fire or Smoke Event Plan
  • Resources
  • Compilation of Knowledge Check Questions
  • References
Contact Us About Wildfire Smoke and Your Patients' Health
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on January 30, 2025
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