Wildfire smoke and health across the life course

Wildfire smoke exposure has become a pressing concern in environmental health, especially as the frequency, intensity, and geographic reach of wildfires have escalated globally. The smoke produced by wildfires is a complex blend of particulate matter, gases, and toxic chemicals that can degrade air quality both locally and at great distances. While recent studies confirm that inhaling wildfire smoke is linked to acute and chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, and systemic health effects, the distribution and severity of these risks are uneven across populations and life stages. Emerging evidence also highlights significant variation in individual susceptibility, with factors such as developmental stage, pre-existing health conditions, and socio-environmental context playing critical roles. Despite advances in epidemiology and toxicology, there remain unresolved questions about the underlying mechanisms of harm, how wildfire smoke health effects compare to those from other combustion sources, and the ways that inequities in exposure and resilience shape outcomes.

This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of the multifaceted health impacts of wildfire smoke throughout the life cycle. Furthermore, it seeks to explore how biological, environmental, and social determinants interact in shaping susceptibility, as well as to examine the effectiveness of public health interventions and adaptive strategies. By welcoming studies with rigorous methodologies in exposure assessment—including those comparing wildfire smoke with other combustion-related emissions—we aim to develop a comprehensive evidence base to inform both science and policy.

This Research Topic is primarily focused on original studies and reviews investigating wildfire smoke exposure in relation to air quality and health, excluding work not centered on wildfire emissions. Comparative or contextual analyses involving other combustion-related sources are considered when they specifically aim to clarify or situate the unique impact of wildfire smoke. To support a holistic exploration, we welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Acute and chronic health effects of wildfire smoke–derived particulate matter and gases

• Impacts on pregnancy, fetal development, and early-life health outcomes

• Short- and long-term respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, and mental health consequences across the lifespan

• Differences in health outcomes by urban versus rural exposure and the modifying effects of infrastructure and vulnerability

• The influence of indoor environments, housing quality, and mitigation strategies on exposure and risk

• Advances in exposure assessment, monitoring, and modeling specific to wildfire smoke

• Health burdens from repeated or cumulative smoke exposure across the life course

• Interactions with social determinants of health, including inequities in protection and response

• Public health interventions, risk communication, and adaptation strategies for smoke events

• Links between wildfire smoke, climate adaptation, and air quality policy

• Comparative studies of wildfire smoke and other combustion-related emissions (e.g., agricultural, biomass, or industrial), focusing on similarities and differences in health impacts



We encourage submissions of original research articles, systematic reviews, and brief research reports. By synthesizing interdisciplinary insights on wildfire smoke and health, this Research Topic seeks to enhance preparedness, policy development, and resilience in a changing climate.