UC Davis researchers publish alarming findings about wildfire smoke affecting healthy lungs – CBS Sacramento

DAVIS (CBS13) – A team of researchers at UC Davis Health has found wildfire smoke puts even healthy people at risk of developing lung disease.

The study’s lead author explained what surprised her the most and what she wanted to do to keep your lungs protected. The 2020 wildfire season, which is considered the worst on record, prompted Angela Haczku to start researching.

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“I usually go out for a run. I get tired and cough after every run,” said Angela Haczku, Director of Research at the UC Davis Lung Center.

That prompted Haczku and a team of UC Davis Health researchers to launch a study on smoke and fire. A professor of medicine and respiratory immunologist at UC Davis Health and her team collected blood during and after the wildfire season. On some days, Northern California has the worst air quality in the world.

“The smoke was thick as far as the east coast,” Haczku said.

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Researchers have discovered significant pathological and related changes in the lungs and immune system when you are exposed to fire smoke that can lead to lung disease. Haczku said the participants were healthy at first, and these changes gradually increased without any signs.

The participants didn’t have any symptoms or require any hospital visits, Haczku said, and research indicates that repeated exposure to fire smoke – can definitely lead to the development of the disease, including including asthma or COPD. She hopes the findings alert authorities to changes to protect people from smoke and fire.

“This is the purpose of the study, to warn people who might actually have the power to be able to do something,” Haczku said.

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As wildfire smoke becomes a bigger health problem every year, the researchers hope their scientific findings alert lawmakers, fire officials and environmental experts and spur efforts. better damping force.