Highlights from EPA's Wildland Fire Heath Research
Citation:
Cascio, W., L. Baxter, C. Baghdikian, AND B. Hassett-Sipple. Highlights from EPA's Wildland Fire Heath Research. SETAC North America 39th Annual Meeting, Sacramento, California, November 05 - 09, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
EPA’s ORD greatly contributes to the understanding of the air quality and health impacts of smoke from wildland fire. ORD is also expanding their research in the ecological impacts, like water quality and quantity, of wildfire and smoke from these fires. The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 39th Annual Meeting will bring together experts that are interested in ecological health, as well as the intersection of the human health and the environment. As such, presenting to this audience provides an opportunity to increase the awareness of ORD’s work and identify opportunities for connecting with other federal, state, and tribal organizations.
Description:
This presentation is part of the “Ecological, Human Health, Economic and Social Impacts of Wildland Fires” session. This presentation will highlight the health impacts of wildland fire smoke exposure, and the various facets of ORD’s wildland fire and health research portfolio.The intensity of wildfires is growing; these events promote and are exacerbated by long-term changes in the environment. EPA is interested in emissions from wildland fire, which includes both prescribed fire and wildfire. The 2014 National Emissions Inventory estimates about 30% of fine particle (PM2.5) emissions are related to wildland fire. Smoke plumes can extend for hundreds of miles across state and national boundaries, making any given wildland fire and a season of wildfire events issues of national concern. Smoke exposure is associated with respiratory effects (e.g. bronchitis, pneumonia, and exacerbation of COPD and asthma) and might cause cardiovascular effects. The EPA Office of Research and Development is emphasizing wildland fire research as an integrated science focus area and expanding collaborations with other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as tribal organizations.