Impact of long-term exposure wildfire smog on respiratory health outcomes

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Air pollution is a global problem and also linked to respiratory diseases. Wildfire smog is a major cause of air pollution in the upper northern area of Thailand. Thus, in the current study, we examined whether long-term exposure to wildfire smog induces lung function changes in a population from the upper northern area of Thailand.<b>Methods</b>: The lung function of 115 participants with long-term exposure smog was determined using peak flow meter.<b>Results</b>: Long-term smoke exposure participants decreased FEV₁ (forced expiratory volume in 1 second)/FVC (forced vital capacity) ratio (56.49 ± 23.88 in males and 56.29 ± 28.23 in females) compared with general Thai population. Moreover, the reduction of FVC, FEV₁, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) values also showed in both male and female subjects. These results suggest that long-term smoke exposure induces obstructive lung abnormality. Moreover, itchy/watery nose, cough, phlegm, and chest pain also reported in these subjects.<b>Conclusion</b>: Wildfire smog could be induced respiratory pathway inflammation and easily collapsible respiratory airways.