Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke linked to increased risk of dementia diagnosis, new study finds
California’s wildfires have been increasing in size and frequency, producing vast amounts of smoke that contribute to what call a “growing public health problem.” New research links the long-term exposure of this wildfire smoke to brain health, suggesting that it greatly increases risk of dementia compared with other sources of air pollution.
The findings come from data on over 1.2 million people 60 or older in Southern California from 2009 to 2019. The results, which are currently undergoing peer review, were reported Monday at the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference.
The researchers measured the impact of PM2.5 - air pollution particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter – from wildfire smoke as well as other sources, such as motor vehicles and factories.
They found a stronger link between PM2.5 from wildfires and dementia diagnoses. Specifically, the odds of someone exposed to wildfire smoke being diagnosed with dementia rose 21% for every increase of 1 microgram of PM2.5 concentration per cubic meter of air over a three-year average. In comparison, for other sources of PM2.5 pollution, the odds of a dementia diagnosis went up 3% for every increase of 3 micrograms per cubic meter of air over a three-year average.
The research also indicates that associations between wildfire smoke and dementia diagnoses are most pronounced among people from racially and ethnically minoritized groups and in high-poverty areas.
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