Inhaling smoke from wildfires may aggravate depression, anxiety in kids

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s not always easy to keep young kids inside during Utah’s warm and sunny months. However, if there is wildfire smoke in the air, parents might want to consider it in light of a new study.

A group of research facilities studied the potential effect of wildfire smoke on kids. They found that it could aggravate depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders (referred to as internalizing symptoms).

Harry Smolker is the first author of the Evidence from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. His team looked at 10,000 kids, ages 9 to 11, and the number of days in a year they were exposed to unsafe air quality levels.

He told KSL-TV that for every day the kids received exposure to what the EPA deems as unsafe levels of air quality, they had an increased likelihood of suffering from a mental illness up to a year later.

“People who had higher levels, or [a] higher number of days above these levels of exposure, showed higher levels of depression and anxiety,” Smolker said.

The study made it clear, according to Smolker, that though researchers have long known poor air quality impacts heart and lung health, they’re just starting to understand how it affects mental health.

The correlation between air quality and mental health

An important factor to note is the size of particulate matter that kids may inhale when wildfire smoke is in the air.

“The particle size can influence whether particulate matter can cross the blood–brain barrier,” the National Center for Biotechnology Information provides on its website, “and, along with [the] duration of exposure, increase the risk of adverse health effects.

“Smaller particles are inhaled more deeply into the lung, leading to greater effects on health.”

The American Psychiatric Association also reports there is substantial evidence showing that air pollution impacts mental health. Citing a US and Danish study, the Association suggests that “neuroinflammatory mechanisms link air pollution and psychiatric consequences.”

What to take from the wildfire study

Smolker recommends keeping kids inside on days with poor air quality, and wearing masks if they have to be outdoors.

“Particularly with kids, you don’t want to keep them cooped up inside all the time. But that is one of the best options when you have these really high levels of air pollution, to not go outside.

“And if you have to go outside, wear a protective mask.”

Simone Seikaly contributed to this article.

Suggested related reading:

• New study find air pollution is harmful in summer too
• Even ‘safe’ levels of air pollution can harm health, especially kids, study finds
• How Utah’s wildfires and winter inversion impact heart health