Wildfires in LA: Hidden Health Risks Beyond the Flames
More Than Just Ashes and Destruction
Wildfires in LA County left more than just ashes and destruction. They also left a trail of health issues that surprised researchers.
Unexpected Health Impacts
Heart Attack Spike: A recent study found that after the January wildfires, emergency room visits for heart attacks spiked. This was unexpected, as heart attacks are not typically linked to wildfires.
Respiratory Illnesses: The study also revealed that respiratory illnesses increased by 24% right after the fires started. This makes sense, as smoke and ash can irritate the lungs.
General Illness Increase: What was surprising was that for 90 days after the fires, visits for general illness rose by 118%. This included symptoms like coughs, dizziness, and chest pain, but with no clear cause.
Biochemical Stress on the Body
- Abnormal Blood Test Results: Researchers found that abnormal blood test results more than doubled in the 90-day period. This was unusual, as these results did not match the symptoms patients were reporting. It seems the wildfires caused a biochemical stress on the body, affecting multiple organ systems.
Wide-Reaching Health Effects
The medical center where the study was conducted is about 10 miles from the Palisades Fire and 20 miles from the Eaton Fire. But the results are likely similar across LA County and even as far south as Orange County. This shows that the health effects of wildfires can reach far beyond the flames.
Long-Term Effects and Advice
Recovery and Unknowns: Most healthy people with abnormal blood work appear to have recovered. But the long-term effects are still unknown.
Expert Advice: In the meantime, experts advise wearing a mask and using air filtration on poor air quality days. These are proven strategies to reduce risk.
Mixed Feelings Among Residents
For residents like Claudine Eng, the findings bring mixed feelings. She is happy to return home but worried about the health risks, especially for her kids. The wildfires may be over, but their impact on health is still being understood.
