According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the declaration of a public health emergency gives health care providers under the US government's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) more flexibility to respond to the urgent health care needs of people enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid programs. The US Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is also ready to deploy response forces, along with medical equipment and supplies, if requested by California.
The area of the wildfires spread to more than 117 square kilometers. Black smoke and acrid air covered a large area. Dust particles from the wildfires combined with ash are causing serious risks to public health.
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Wildfires in California, USA affect the air environment. Photo: Reuters
“The particulate matter from these wildfires themselves can cause some very serious problems, not just for people with lung disease, but also for people with heart disease, the elderly and young children,” warned National Lung Association spokesman Dr. Afif El-Hasan.
“The concentration of fine particulate matter in the Los Angeles area has reached alarming levels, ranging from 40 to 100 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding the maximum recommended by the World Health Organization of 5 micrograms per cubic meter,” added environmental health scientist Carlos Gould.
As the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the US have increased in recent years, a recent study highlights the health risks posed by wildfire smoke, suggesting that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke can significantly increase the risk of dementia. Researchers analyzed data collected from 2008 to 2019 on 1.2 million residents over the age of 60 in Southern California. The study found that for every 1 microgram per cubic meter (mcg/m3) increase in smoke pollution from wildfires, the risk of being diagnosed with dementia increased by 18%. Exposure to PM2.5 not from wildfires also increased the risk of dementia, but to a much lesser extent.
California is suffering significant damage not only to people and infrastructure but also to the environment. Local residents have also been warned not to use tap water for drinking or cooking in areas near the fires due to the risk of contamination. Densely populated areas are at risk of being severely affected if the fires are not extinguished promptly.
Experts predict that the damage will increase unless effective emergency measures are taken to control the fires, protect lives and property, and minimize the economic and environmental impact. Yesterday, shares of insurance companies such as Travelers, Allstate and Chubb fell after AccuWeather announced that the damage and economic loss caused by the California wildfires will be between $135 billion and $150 billion.