Stanford study projects increased US death toll due to wildfire smoke, climate change

STANFORD, Calif. (KGO) — A new Stanford study found smoke from wildfires is killing tens of thousands of Americans every year and it’s only getting worse with climate change.

Researchers with the Doerr School of Sustainability looked at wildfire smoke exposure in death records across the country. It’s a number that can be difficult to track and health issues from smoke exposure don’t always show up right away.

“We estimate that wildfire smoke over the past decade has killed around 40,000 Americans a year. That’s roughly the same as homicides or vehicle accidents,” said Professor Marshall Burke, one of the study’s authors. “You cause more fires. You cause more smoke. We estimate by mid-century, so over the next 25 years or so, that health burden could go from 40,000 deaths per year to 70,000 deaths per year.”

The largest increase in smoke exposure deaths would be in California, projected to be 5,000 of the 70,000 excess deaths. While those who live in the vicinity of a burning wildfire are clearly impacted, people even thousands of miles away can be too.

Medical experts warn that wildfire smoke is a complex blend of toxic chemicals.

“We’re talking about trees. We’re talking about structures, homes and things like that are burning all at the same time,” said Dr. Cyrus Rangan, who is also the assistant medical director for the California Poison Control System. “So when we look at the composition of smoke, it’s not just about the small particles that may be in there, but there may be a lot of other chemicals as well.”

Dr. Rangan said the fine and ultrafine particles can affect more than just the lungs.

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“These have the ability not only to affect our lungs directly, but also potentially to get into our bloodstream and cause damage to other organs such as the heart, the brain and other tissues,” said Dr. Rangan.

Burke said public officials and community leaders can take action from managing fuels better to investing in indoor air filtration. He describes it as a “shared burden” that affects all of us the same.

“Two main things we can do. One is try to reduce the risk of extreme wildfires to begin with,” said Burke. “Number two is we need to be able to protect ourselves, and that is reducing exposure in whatever ways we can.”