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Respiratory Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke during Summer of 2018 in the Jämtland Härjedalen Region, Sweden

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Tornevi

    (Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE90187 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Camilla Andersson

    (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), Folkborgsvägen 17, SE60176 Norrköping, Sweden)

  • Ana Cristina Carvalho

    (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), Folkborgsvägen 17, SE60176 Norrköping, Sweden)

  • Joakim Langner

    (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), Folkborgsvägen 17, SE60176 Norrköping, Sweden)

  • Nikolai Stenfors

    (Section of Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE90187 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Bertil Forsberg

    (Section of Sustainable Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE90187 Umeå, Sweden)

Abstract

During the summer of 2018 Sweden experienced a high occurrence of wildfires, most intense in the low-densely populated Jämtland Härjedalen region. The aim of this study was to investigate any short-term respiratory health effects due to deteriorated air quality generated by the smoke from wildfires. For each municipality in the region Jämtland Härjedalen, daily population-weighted concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) were calculated through the application of the MATCH chemistry transport model. Modelled levels of PM 2.5 were obtained for two summer periods (2017, 2018). Potential health effects of wildfire related levels of PM 2.5 were examined by studying daily health care contacts concerning respiratory problems in each municipality in a quasi-Poisson regression model, adjusting for long-term trends, weekday patterns and weather conditions. In the municipality most exposed to wildfire smoke, having 9 days with daily maximum 1-h mean of PM 2.5 > 20 μg/m 3 , smoke days resulted in a significant increase in daily asthma visits the same and two following days (relative risk (RR) = 2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28–5.47). Meta-estimates for all eight municipalities revealed statistically significant increase in asthma visits (RR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.09–2.57) and also when grouping all disorders of the lower airways (RR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.01–1.92).

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Tornevi & Camilla Andersson & Ana Cristina Carvalho & Joakim Langner & Nikolai Stenfors & Bertil Forsberg, 2021. "Respiratory Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke during Summer of 2018 in the Jämtland Härjedalen Region, Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6987-:d:585227
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Olsson & Magnus Ekström & Bertil Forsberg, 2012. "Temporal Variation in Air Pollution Concentrations and Preterm Birth—A Population Based Epidemiological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Camilla Geels & Camilla Andersson & Otto Hänninen & Anne Sofie Lansø & Per E. Schwarze & Carsten Ambelas Skjøth & Jørgen Brandt, 2015. "Future Premature Mortality Due to O 3 , Secondary Inorganic Aerosols and Primary PM in Europe — Sensitivity to Changes in Climate, Anthropogenic Emissions, Population and Building Stock," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-33, March.
    3. Olga M. Lozano & Michele Salis & Alan A. Ager & Bachisio Arca & Fermin J. Alcasena & Antonio T. Monteiro & Mark A. Finney & Liliana Del Giudice & Enrico Scoccimarro & Donatella Spano, 2017. "Assessing Climate Change Impacts on Wildfire Exposure in Mediterranean Areas," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(10), pages 1898-1916, October.
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