health

February 5, 2026

Wildfire smoke pollution linked to tens of thousands of deaths in U.S. per year, study finds

Updated on: February 5, 2026 / 6:28 AM EST / CBS/AP

Wildfire smoke pollution linked to tens of thousands of deaths in U.S. per year, study finds

TL;DR

  • Wildfire smoke pollution caused an estimated 24,100 deaths annually in the U.S. from 2006-2020.
  • Chronic exposure to PM2.5 from wildfire smoke can lead to severe health issues, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases.
  • Climate change and forest mismanagement are increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires, exacerbating the health risks.
  • The study found a statistically significant link between PM2.5 exposure and deaths from neurological diseases, which saw the biggest increase.
  • Researchers suggest that controlling wildfire-sourced PM2.5, currently not regulated by the EPA, is crucial.

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