scholarly journals How to measure the economic health cost of wildfires – A systematic review of the literature for northern America

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 961
Author(s):  
Ruth Dittrich ◽  
Stuart McCallum
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Health Cost ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
The North ◽  
The Us ◽  
Emergent Literature ◽  
Economic Health

There has been an increasing interest in the economic health cost from smoke exposure from wildfires in the past 20 years, particularly in the north-western USA that is reflected in an emergent literature. In this review, we provide an overview and discussion of studies since 2006 on the health impacts of wildfire smoke and of approaches for the estimation of the associated economic cost. We focus on the choice of key variables such as cost estimators for determining the economic impact of mortality and morbidity effects. In addition, we provide an in-depth discussion and guidance on the functioning, advantages and challenges of BenMAP-CE, freely available software of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that has been used in a growing number of studies to assess cost from wildfire smoke. We highlight what generates differences in outcomes between relevant studies and make suggestions for increasing the comparability between studies. All studies, however, demonstrate highly significant health cost from smoke exposure, in the millions or billions of US dollars, often driven by increases in mortality. The results indicate the need to take health cost into account for a comprehensive analysis of wildfire impacts.

scholarly journals Wildfire Smoke Exposure Is Associated With Severe Pulmonary Exacerbation in Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily Amanda Cook ◽  
Bethany Collins ◽  
Aaron Trimble
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Pulmonary Exacerbation ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation ◽  
Pulmonary Exacerbations ◽  
Using Data

Abstract PurposeBecause pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis cause a step-wise decline in FEV1 function and contribute significantly to disease progression, it is important to identify potential environmental triggers. Studies have been done on general air quality and its relationship to cystic fibrosis disease activity, but none have examined air pollution caused by wildfire smoke. Our study intends to better understand this relationship. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected from people with cystic fibrosis (CF) between 2012 and 2019. Data on pulmonary exacerbations was extracted from the patient registry hosted and maintained by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Exposures were determined using measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from the Environmental Protection Agency. A logistic regression model was created in order to identify both univariate and adjusted odds ratios and their associated confidence intervals.Results82.7% (n = 415) of individuals with CF experienced an exposure to wildfire smoke during the study period. The adjusted odds ratio for a pulmonary exacerbation within one month following an exposure to wildfire smoke was 1.50 (95% CI = 1.13 – 1.99, p = 0.006) for adults and 0.92 (95% CI = 0.69 – 1.23, p = 0.578) for children. ConclusionWildfire smoke exposure is associated with severe pulmonary exacerbation in adults but not in children. This suggests that wildfire smoke may be an environmental risk factor for exacerbation in adults with CF. Further study is needed to understand why and how wildfire smoke exposure affects adult with CF differently than the pediatric population.

scholarly journals Wildfire Smoke Exposure Worsens Learning Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Wen ◽  
Marshall Burke
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Test Score ◽  
Standardized Test ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Ethnic Composition ◽  
Future Earnings ◽  
Wildfire Smoke ◽  
School Year ◽  
The Us ◽  
Pm2.5 Exposure

Wildfires and associated smoke exposure have increased in frequency and severity over the past two decades, threatening to undo decades of air quality improvements. Our understanding of the impacts of these growing exposures on a range of societal outcomes remains incomplete. Building on emerging evidence that environmental exposures can negatively affect cognition, we investigate the effect of wildfire smoke exposure on learning outcomes across the US. We combine standardized test score data from 2009-2016 for nearly 11,700 public school districts across 6 grades with satellite-derived estimates of daily smoke exposure. We estimate that relative to a school year with no smoke, average cumulative daily smoke-attributable PM2.5 exposure during the school year (~35 ug/m^3) reduces both English language arts and math scores by ~0.16% of a standard deviation. These impacts are more pronounced among younger primary school students and are apparent across communities with differing levels of economic disadvantage and racial-ethnic composition. Using previous estimates of the relationship between test score performance and future earnings, we estimate that smoke PM2.5 exposure in 2016 reduced discounted future earnings by $117 per student, resulting in cumulative future earning losses of nearly $1.9 billion across the US. Roughly 80% of these costs are borne by disadvantaged districts. Our findings quantify a previously unaccounted for social cost of wildfire that is likely to worsen under a warming climate.

scholarly journals Sustained Effects on Lung Function in Community Members Following Exposure to Hazardous PM2.5 Levels from Wildfire Smoke

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ava Orr ◽  
Cristi A.L. Migliaccio ◽  
Mary Buford ◽  
Sarah Dykstra ◽  
Christopher Migliaccio
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Wildland Fire ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Fire Event ◽  
Wildfire Smoke

Abstract Background: Extreme wildfire events are becoming more common and while the immediate risks to susceptible populations (i.e. elderly, asthmatics) are appreciated, the long-term health effects are not known. Historically, wildfire smoke exposure studies have consisted almost exclusively of retroactive health reports, including emergency department visits, hospital admissions, provider visits with emphasis on specific ICD codes. In 2017, the Seeley Lake, MT area experienced unprecedented levels of wildfire smoke from July 31 to September 18, with a daily average of 220.9 mg/m3. The aim of this study was to provide health assessments in the community as temporally close to the fires as possible and evaluate potential adverse health effects with multiple visits over two years. Additionally, the members of the community of Thompson Falls, MT were evaluated in 2018 as a comparison, due to their Northern Rockies location and 5-fold less smoke exposure during the same time period.Methods: Using the IPHARM (Improving Health Among Rural Montanans) infrastructure and experience to perform mobile health screenings, the Seeley Lake community was visited following the fires. The study resulted in the recruitment of a cohort (n=95, average age: 63 years), for a rapid response screening activity shortly following the wildland fire event, and two follow-up visits in 2018 and 2019. Results: The community experienced 35 of 49 days with >150 mg/m3 of PM2.5 which fell within the range of the Environmental Protection Agency designation of “very unhealthy”. Analysis of spirometry data found a significant decrease in lung function (FEV1/FVC ratio: forced expiratory volume in first second/forced vital capacity) and a more than doubling of participants that fell below the lower limit of normal (13.2% in 2017 to 41.7% in 2018) one year following the wildfire event, and remained decreased two years (35.9%) post exposure. In addition, observed FEV1 was significantly lower than predicted values. Conclusion: These findings suggest that wildfire smoke can have long-lasting effects on human health. As wildfires continue to increase both here and globally, understanding the health implications is vital to understanding the respiratory impacts of these events as well as developing public health strategies to mitigate the effects.

The Tragedy of Lebanon

1984 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-52
Author(s):  
Mahmud A. Faksh
Keyword(s):  
Civil War ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
World War ◽  
Land Area ◽  
Henry Kissinger ◽  
The North ◽  
Northern Cyprus ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Status ◽  
New States

I.Since the end of World War 11, approximately eighty new states havebeen established. Only two, Pakistan and Cyprus, have undergone theagony of dismemberment when Bangladesh broke off in 1973 and theTurkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was declared in 1983. The worldmay now be witnessing the possible breakup of yet a third state:Lebanon, whose disintegration has been accelerated since the June 1982Israeli invasion.Shortly after the invasion began, Henry Kissinger assessed itsconsequence for Lebanon’s future, concluding, “It is neither desirablenor possible to return to the status quo ante in Lebanon.” One possibleoutcome was that some Syrian and Israeli forces would remain in thenorthern and southern ends, respectively, and the central government’sauthority would ostensibly cover the rest of the country. Implicit in theKissinger diagnosis is the possibility of eventual partition.Though the gloomy assessment by the “wizard” of US. foreign policyshould by no means be construed as a portent of an official shift awayfrom the publicly stated US. support of “Lebanon’s sovereignty andterritorial integrity,” a shadow was cast on the country’s prospects.Subsequent developments have seemed to indicate that Lebanon’sdemise looms larger than at any time since the beginning of the civil warin 1975-76.For over a year and a half national fragmentation has proceededinexorably. What many people once could imagine only with difficulty,they now acknowledge: in reality, Lebanon is facing possible death. TheSouth (35 percent of the land area) is occupied by Israel; the North andthe Biqa’ (45 percent) are controlled by Syria; Kasrawan (15 percent) iscontrolled by the Christian Maronite forces (the Lebanese Front forces),which are not subject to the government’s authority. The rest of thecountry-beleaguered Beirut and environs-was until the February1984 breakdown under the government’s shaky control supported bysymbolic US., French, Italian, and British units. The Multi-NationalForce (MNF) was subject to increasing attacks by Muslim leftist factions,as witnessed in the October 23 bombing of the quarters of U.S.Marines and French troops. Thus, instead of keeping peace, the MNFbecame ,a partisan force trying to protect itself. The US. and Frenchforces in particular seemed to have outlived their usefulness as“peacekeepers.” Recurrent fighting in southern Beirut and in theadjacent Chouf mountains, that pitted Christian Maronites and armyunits against Shi‘ite and Druse Muslims constantly threatened theexistence of President Amin Gemayel’s government and consequently arenewal of the civil war. This situation culminated in February 1984 inthe resignation of the Shafiq al-Wazzan’s cabinet, the loss ofgovernment’s control of West Beirut to Muslim-leftist militias, and theimminent collapse of Amin Gemayel’s presidency ...

Uncommon Grounds

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
American Literature ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Historical Novel ◽  
Latin American Literature ◽  
Historical Account ◽  
American Novel ◽  
Song Of Solomon ◽  
The Past ◽  
The North ◽  
The Us

This chapter turns from a historical account of the development of the US literature of experience and the Latin American literature of reading to a textual analysis of the US and Latin American historical novel. Hemispheric/inter-American scholars often cite William Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! (1936), Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967), and Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon (1977) as exemplifying instances of literary borrowing across the North–South divide. As I demonstrate, however, each of the later texts also realigns its predecessor’s historical imaginary according to the dominant logics of the US and Latin American literary fields. Whereas the American works foreground experiential models of reconstructing the past and conveying knowledge across generations, García Márquez’s Latin American novel presents reading as the fundamental mode of comprehending and transmitting history.

An Inter-American Episode

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Pablo Neruda ◽  
Jose Marti ◽  
The South ◽  
American Reader ◽  
The North ◽  
Literary Theories ◽  
The Us

This chapter focuses on a paradigmatic misencounter between an American experiencer and a Latin American reader. Examining an implicit debate about the sources of Walt Whitman’s poetry and vision of the Americas, I argue that Waldo Frank, one of the twentieth century’s main literary ambassadors from the US to Latin America, positioned Whitman as the representative US writer whose antibookish experiential aesthetics could serve as a model for “American” writers both in the North and in the South. I show how Frank’s framework provided a foil for Borges’s idiosyncratic view that Whitman’s poetry about America derived entirely from his readings of European and US writers. Although much of the best scholarship on Whitman’s reception in Latin America has concentrated on poets like José Martí and Pablo Neruda, who adapted Whitman’s naturalism, I contend that Borges’s iconoclastic portrait of Whitman as a reader profoundly influenced a range of anti-experiential literary theories and practices in Latin America.

scholarly journals The production of valuable products and fuel from plastic waste in Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Opoku Amankwa ◽  
E. Kweinor Tetteh ◽  
G. Thabang Mohale ◽  
G. Dagba ◽  
P. Opoku
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Environmental Costs ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Sustainable Environment ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Us ◽  
Shipping Containers

AbstractGlobal plastic waste generation is about 300 million metric tons annually and poses crucial health and environmental problems. Africa is the second most polluted continent in the world, with over 500 shipping containers of waste being imported every month. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report suggests that about 75% of this plastic waste ends up in landfills. However, landfills management is associated with high environmental costs and loss of energy. In addition, landfill leachates end up in water bodies, are very detrimental to human health, and poison marine ecosystems. Therefore, it is imperative to explore eco-friendly techniques to transform plastic waste into valuable products in a sustainable environment. The trade-offs of using plastic waste for road construction and as a component in cementitious composites are discussed. The challenges and benefits of producing liquid fuels from plastic waste are also addressed. The recycling of plastic waste to liquid end-products was found to be a sustainable way of helping the environment with beneficial economic impact.

scholarly journals Liver Cancer in Guatemala: An Analysis of Mortality and Incidence Trends From 2012 to 2016

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alba J. Kihn-Alarcón ◽  
María F. Toledo-Ponce ◽  
Angel Velarde ◽  
Ximing Xu
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Incidence Trends ◽  
The North ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Morbidity Data ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Late Stages

PURPOSE Guatemala has the highest mortality and incidence of liver cancer in Central and South America. The aim of this study is to describe the extent of liver cancer in the country from 2012 to 2016 and the associated risk factors. METHODS A secondary analysis was performed using liver cancer mortality and morbidity data and data on risk factors, such as hepatitis B virus infection, cirrhosis, and alcoholism. RESULTS Analysis revealed that liver cancer causes approximately 20% of cancer deaths in the country, is more frequent in the population older than age 65 years old, and is increasing in those age 30 to 44 years. More than 25% of deaths occurred in the North and West regions. The incidence of major risk factors for development of liver cancer has decreased. CONCLUSION The high mortality of liver cancer compared with its incidence indicates that most patients are diagnosed at late stages. To reduce the burden of liver cancer, creation of strategies for earlier detection is needed.

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