Children born in 2020 will face twice as many wildfires in their lifetimes compared to those born in 1960, particularly in California and other western states where wildfires are a regular occurrence. Wildfires produce harmful PM2.5 particles that can lead to respiratory issues. However, measuring long-term exposure to wildfire PM2.5 is challenging due to fluctuating levels. Researchers have proposed new metrics to better capture exposure, highlighting the need to understand the health effects of extreme exposures. Additionally, there are racial disparities in wildfire PM2.5 exposure, with Indigenous communities facing higher exposure levels. Understanding these disparities is important for addressing health inequities.
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How wildfire smoke exposure is measured doesn’t capture long-term health effects and hides racial disparities
