Funding outcome

With global warming, wildfires are becoming more common, and affect more heavily populated areas. Wildfire ash contains toxins such as heavy metals and complex hydrocarbons. Ash stays in soil, water and air for decades. The long-term health effects of wildfire ash and debris are not well understood. Children absorb more from the environment but are less able to remove toxins from their bodies than adults. Toxins affect growth and development, and cause problems over children's longer lifespan. Air pollution decreases lung growth in children. The 2016 Fort McMurray fire affected the entire population, and the result of ongoing ash exposures is unknown. This study will assess the long-term impact of wildfire ash exposure on toxin intake, lung growth and function in children. This follow-up study focuses on 2-year specific outcomes, adding children to existing adult studies underway in Fort McMurray. This study will assess the long-term impact of wildfire ash exposure on toxin intake, lung growth and function, and health in children. Specific outcomes: 1. Levels of heavy metal in house dust and the bodies of children. 2. Lung function in children with different levels of exposure and uptake of heavy metals. 3. Respiratory, allergic, and other health symptoms. 4. Development of inflammation based on markers in blood. This research has the advantage of leveraging existing home dust and adult family member data to increase yield. This is a unique opportunity to understand the long-term effects of ash on children's health, to build understanding in this evolving area in an era where wildfires are having increasing impact, and support wildfire-affected communities across Canada and worldwide. Because the study links parent and child information, it will increase our understanding on how exposures specifically impact growth and development. The effect of long-term exposure to wildfire ash on children's health and development is not known. With global climate change, more people are affected by wildfires every year. This research will provide key information to guide clean up and rebuilding worldwide, helping governments and communities form plans to protect lung health and development in children. It will guide research on lung protection in children's environmental health. Our findings will provide health information worldwide to communities affected by wildfires and other toxic exposures.