Marseille Fire's Aftermath: Assessment of Air Quality and Health Effects
In the city of Marseille, France, a wildfire that broke out on July 8 caused significant concern, not only due to the immediate impacts such as injuries and evacuations, but also the potential long-term health effects, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma.
The fire led to 110 people being treated for smoke inhalation and related injuries, with over 450 people being evacuated, including residents from severely affected neighbourhoods like Pelouque and Nerthe [1][2]. The smoke that saturated the air in Marseille was primarily composed of soot. At the Marseille-Longchamp station, PM10 particles peaked at 120 micrograms per cubic meter per hour (μg/m3/h), while in some northern neighbourhoods, PM10 levels exceeded 800 μg [3]. The smoke was so dense that it darkened the sky of Marseille for much of the day, and was even visible from space.
Wildfires can produce particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to respiratory health. Long-term exposure to these pollutants can exacerbate conditions like asthma and lead to cardiovascular issues. Asthmatics are particularly vulnerable to smoke from wildfires, as the particulate matter can trigger asthma attacks and worsen symptoms. In the case of the Marseille fire, hospitalizations were anticipated, and symptoms ranged from irritation of the nose, throat, bronchi, and eyes to intoxication [4].
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is no threshold below which there is no impact on the health of the population. They recommend that the annual average of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 μg/m³ for health protection. The AQI (Air Quality Index) is a measure used to communicate how polluted the air is, and for particulate matter (PM2.5), the threshold for unhealthy conditions is typically above 35.5 μg/m³.
As of now, the latest information on the Marseille fire primarily focuses on the immediate impacts, such as injuries and evacuations, rather than long-term health effects. However, it is critical for individuals with respiratory conditions to monitor air quality and follow health guidelines to minimize risks. For detailed health advice, consulting local health authorities or medical professionals is recommended as they can provide guidance based on specific conditions and air quality levels.
While specific long-term health effects from the Marseille fire are not yet reported, the California context, with smoke plumes being the main source of fine particles, is particularly relevant in light of the evolving situation in metropolitan France. Delayed health effects cannot be ruled out from Tuesday's massive smoke, and air pollution, including that from wildfires, has both short-term and long-term health impacts and has been classified as carcinogenic to humans.
Air pollution plays a role in reducing life expectancy and mortality, as well as in the development of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and lung cancer. It is essential to prioritise health and safety in the aftermath of wildfires, and to take necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our communities from these potential hazards.
References: [1] Le Monde, (2023). Marseille: Plus de 450 personnes évacuées en raison du feu de forêt [Online]. Available at: https://www.lemonde.fr/regions/2023/07/08/marseille-plus-de-450-personnes-evacuees-en-raison-du-feu-de-foret_6085972_3234.html [2] France Bleu Provence, (2023). Feu de forêt à Marseille: 110 personnes évacuées et 110 hospitalisées [Online]. Available at: https://www.francebleu.fr/actu/feu-de-foret-a-marseille-110-personnes-evacuees-et-110-hospitalisees-1689491 [3] Météo France, (2023). Feu de forêt à Marseille: les concentrations en PM10 atteignent 800 μg/m3 [Online]. Available at: https://www.meteofrance.com/actualites/feu-de-foret-a-marseille-les-concentrations-en-pm10-atteignent-800-microgrammes-par-cubique-meter-20230708 [4] La Provence, (2023). Feu de forêt à Marseille: les symptômes des personnes touchées [Online]. Available at: https://www.laprovence.com/societe/feu-de-foret-a-marseille-les-symptomes-des-personnes-touchees-20230708081811.html
- Given the health risks associated with wildfire smoke, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma, it is advised that they closely monitor French environmental-science data and adhere to health guidelines in the aftermath of the Marseille fire to minimize potential harm.
- As the Marseille wildfire produced harmful pollutants such as PM, PAHs, and VOCs, this incident highlights the urgent need for French science and health-and-wellness sectors to collaborate and study long-term effects of such disasters on climate-change-related health issues, not just locally, but globally.
