An increase in premature deaths, hospital admissions and emergency department visits due to the summer’s bushfire smoke cost the country $1.95 billion | rachelclun
An increase in premature deaths, hospital admissions and emergency department visits due to the summer’s bushfire smoke cost the country $1.95 billion.
"We estimated over 400 premature deaths, 3200 hospital admissions for circulatory and respiratory conditions, and over 1500 emergency attendances for asthma," he said.But that data does not take into account other health costs, including increased use of mental health services or loss of work productivity due to sick leave."I think we are we are under-estimating the the smoke related impact," Mr Borchers Arriagada said.
The researchers were concerned about fine particulate matter, as PM2.5 particles are so minute they can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation throughout the body. "What we've seen, irrespective of the numbers that you get, it can be dollars or increased mortality, or reduced life expectancy …. this past season was very unprecedented," he said.According to the researchers, "relatively few studies" have looked at the health cost of bushfire smoke exposure, and Mr Borchers Arriagada said it needs to be included in any assessments or when considering future investments or fire management.
Both experts said more severe seasons, similar to 2019-2020, were likely to occur unless work is done to mitigate the effects of climate change.
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