UCRH researchers Associate Professor Veronica Matthews and Danielle Cameron are among a group of authors who conducted a new review highlighting the health risks posed by smoke from landscape fires, such as wildfires and agricultural burning.
The study aimed to gather and assess scientific research on interventions that can help protect people from the effects of landscape fire smoke and evaluate various methods to reduce exposure to this harmful air pollution.
The researchers reviewed 33 studies from four countries, focusing on different strategies to reduce smoke exposure. Highlights of their findings included that while interventions like air filtration can protect public health, but their effectiveness has not been determined.
Other initiatives such as enhanced smartphone apps, active green walls, and clean air shelters have promise but also need more attention.
The study calls for further research on these interventions, especially during prolonged smoke events and in low- and middle-income countries, to better protect public health.
