SYDNEY, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Bushfire smoke significantly increases the risk of hospitalization for respiratory illnesses, more so than other types of air pollution, according to a study led by Australian researchers.
The study published on Tuesday looked at hospital data from over 1,000 communities from eight countries and regions over 20 years.
It found that tiny particles in bushfire smoke, known as PM 2.5, are linked to a higher risk of being hospitalized for asthma, the flu, pneumonia, and other breathing problems.
Even small increases in these particles led to noticeable rises in hospital visits. Children, adolescents, the elderly, and people living in low-income or already polluted areas were hit the hardest, according to the study conducted by organizations including Monash University and the University of New South Wales.
The study, published in Nature Sustainability, found that smoke from bushfires was more harmful than pollution from cars, industry, or other sources.
Compared with non-wildfire PM 2.5, wildfire-specific PM 2.5 posed greater hospitalization risks for all respiratory diseases and a greater burden of asthma, the study said, adding that bushfire smoke contributed to 42.4 percent of PM 2.5-linked respiratory hospitalizations.
