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Type: Journal Article
Author(s): Terry L. Noah; Cameron P. Worden; Meghan E. Rebuli; Ilona Jaspers
Publication Date: 2023

Purpose of Review: To review the recent literature on the effects of wildfire smoke (WFS) exposure on asthma and allergic disease, and on potential mechanisms of disease.

Recent Findings: Spatiotemporal modeling and increased ground-level monitoring data are allowing a more detailed picture of the health effects of WFS exposure to emerge, especially with regard to asthma. There is also epidemiologic and some experimental evidence to suggest that WFS exposure increases allergic predisposition and upper airway or sinonasal disease, though much of the literature in this area is focused more generally on PM2.5 and is not specific for WFS. Experimental evidence for mechanisms includes disruption of epithelial integrity with downstream effects on inflammatory or immune pathways, but experimental models to date have not consistently reflected human disease in this area.

Summary: Exposure to WFS has an acute detrimental effect on asthma. Potential mechanisms are suggested by in vitro and animal studies.

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Citation: Noah, Terry L.; Worden, Cameron P.; Rebuli, Meghan E.; Jaspers, Ilona. 2023. The effects of wildfire smoke on asthma and allergy. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 23(7):375-387.

Cataloging Information

Regions:
Alaska    California    Eastern    Great Basin    Hawaii    Northern Rockies    Northwest    Rocky Mountain    Southern    Southwest    International    National
Keywords:
  • allergy
  • asthma
  • health effects
  • PM - particulate matter
  • PM2.5
  • wildfire
Record Last Modified:
Record Maintained By: FRAMES Staff (https://www.frames.gov/contact)
FRAMES Record Number: 68154