Wildfires in LA: Hidden Health Risks Beyond the Flames

Wildfires in LA County left more than just ashes and destruction. They also left a trail of health issues that surprised researchers. A recent study found that after the January wildfires, emergency room visits for heart attacks spiked. This was unexpected, as heart attacks are not typically linked to wildfires. The study also revealed that respiratory illnesses increased by 24% right after the fires started. This makes sense, as smoke and ash can irritate the lungs. But what was surprising was that for 90 days after the fires, visits for general illness rose by 118%. This included symptoms like coughs, dizziness, and chest pain, but with no clear cause. Researchers found that abnormal blood test results more than doubled in the 90-day period. This was unusual, as these results did not match the symptoms patients were reporting. It seems the wildfires caused a biochemical stress on the body, affecting multiple organ systems.The medical center where the study was conducted is about 10 miles from the Palisades Fire and 20 miles from the Eaton Fire. But the results are likely similar across LA County and even as far south as Orange County. This shows that the health effects of wildfires can reach far beyond the flames. Most healthy people with abnormal blood work appear to have recovered. But the long-term effects are still unknown. In the meantime, experts advise wearing a mask and using air filtration on poor air quality days. These are proven strategies to reduce risk. For residents like Claudine Eng, the findings bring mixed feelings. She is happy to return home but worried about the health risks, especially for her kids. The wildfires may be over, but their impact on health is still being understood.