Story perspectives

Study Reveals Alarming Global Deaths from Fire PM 2.5

9/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study examined fire-related PM 2.5 exposure and health impacts from 1990 to 2018 in 43 countries.
Eastern Europe reported the highest all-cause deaths from fire exposure, peaking at 120,000 in 2010.
Excess deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases rose significantly, with 30,000 and 9,000 deaths in 2010-18, respectively.
Sub-Saharan Africa saw notable fire PM 2.5 deaths, particularly among children under 5.
The global population exposed to significant fire PM 2.5 increased from 2.8 billion.

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Story summary

A study examined fire-related PM 2.5 exposure and health impacts from 1990 to 2018 in 43 countries.
Eastern Europe reported the highest all-cause deaths from fire exposure, peaking at 120,000 in 2010.
Excess deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases rose significantly, with 30,000 and 9,000 deaths in 2010-18, respectively.
Sub-Saharan Africa saw notable fire PM 2.5 deaths, particularly among children under 5.
The global population exposed to significant fire PM 2.5 increased from 2.8 billion.