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Asthma Exacerbations Following Wildfire Smoke PM 2.5 Exposure Among U.S. Adults

Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Asthma exacerbation can be triggered by various forms of air pollution, including PM 2.5 from wildfire smoke. This study aims to investigate the association between wildfire smoke PM 2.5 exposure and asthma exacerbations in adults during the warm months (April–August) between 2006 and 2019. Using a case‐crossover design, we analyzed 18,935 asthma exacerbation events and four matched control periods per event from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us research program. We used the conditional logistic regression to estimate the association (odds ratios [ORs]) between wildfire smoke PM 2.5 exposure and asthma exacerbation, considering lag periods of 0–7 days and adjusting for temperature, precipitation, and humidity. Significant positive associations were observed across all lag periods, with adjusted ORs ranging from 1.27 (95% CI: 1.22–1.33) to 1.38 (95% CI: 1.32–1.44). Stratified analyses showed higher odds of asthma exacerbation among older adults, non‐Hispanic Whites, midwestern residents, and those exposed in May. These findings highlight the potential contribution of wildfire smoke PM 2.5 to asthma exacerbations in adults and the importance of targeted public health strategies to reduce exposure during wildfire events.
Source: GeoHealth
DOI: 10.1029/2026gh001972
Authors: Yanhong Huang, Li Luo, Shuguang Leng, Su Zhang, Roberta P. Lavin, Michaela Buenemann, Yan Lin, Matthew Campen, Xi Gong
Institutions: Pennsylvania State University, University of New Mexico, Texas A&M University, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, New Mexico State University
Language: English
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
Funders: Pennsylvania State University, National Institutes of Health, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Institute for Computational and Data Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
OpenAlex ID: W7225454473
FWCI:
Cites: 21
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Related to: 10