The Power of Biobanks

It is widely understood that wildfires cause an immediate spike in respiratory emergencies and heart attacks in nearby communities. But researchers are beginning to see that smoke inhalation from massive wildfires might have severe long-term health impact as well  — and that people far away from the fires may be at even higher risk. Wildfire smoke is an especially dangerous form of pollution because it is filled with reactive chemical compounds that can be carcinogenic. These particles undergo oxidation as they are carried in the wind, converting them into highly reactive compounds the longer they are airborne. Just a few of the long-term impacts of wildfire smoke are thought to be increased incidence of respiratory illness, cancer, and the risk of premature births. Newborn babies could be at particular danger because their developing lungs are highly vulnerable to smoke toxicity. By collecting biological specimens over decades in time, biobanks such as COLS will help researchers identify  track the changes that occur in people who are exposed to wildfire smoke, perhaps leading to early interventions that stop disease from progressing.