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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Health effects of wildfire smoke in children and public health tools: A narrative review

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Holm SM, Miller MD, Balmes JR
2020
Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology. 31: 1-20

Wildfire smoke is an increasing environmental health threat to which children are particularly vulnerable, for both physiologic and behavioral reasons. To address the need for improved public health messaging this review summarizes current knowledge and knowledge gaps in the health effects of wildfire smoke in children, as well as tools for public health response aimed at children, including consideration of low-cost sensor data, respirators, and exposures in school environments. There is an established literature of health effects in children from components of ambient air pollution, which are also present in wildfire smoke, and an emerging literature on the effects of wildfire smoke, particularly for respiratory outcomes. Low-cost particulate sensors demonstrate the spatial variability of pollution, including wildfire smoke, where children live and play. Surgical masks and respirators can provide limited protection for children during wildfire events, with expected decreases of roughly 20% and 80% for surgical masks and N95 respirators, respectively. Schools should improve filtration to reduce exposure of our nation's children to smoke during wildfire events. The evidence base described may help clinical and public health authorities provide accurate information to families to improve their decision making.

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Resource Description

    Air Pollution
    • Air Pollution: Particulate Matter, Wildfire Smoke
    General Geographic Feature
    United States
    General Health Impact, Respiratory Impact
    • General Health Impact, Respiratory Impact: Asthma
    Review Article
    Adaptation, Mitigation , Vulnerable Population
    • Adaptation, Mitigation , Vulnerable Population: Intervention
    • Adaptation, Mitigation , Vulnerable Population: Mitigation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm
    • Adaptation, Mitigation , Vulnerable Population: Children
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