Climate-Change Wildfires and Air Pollution Discussed by Dr. Moondust
As wildfires continue, late into the fall season, they pollute the air well beyond the property in the area that they burn. Smoke, airborne toxins and pollutants threaten both people and the animal life for miles around. A special podcast on the topic, presented by Dr. Moondust, founder and primary researcher at Moondust Cosmetics® looks into how the wildfire. As a cancer biologist Dr. Moondust is especially concerned with our experience of air pollution around wildfires and their connection to both climate change and our respiratory health. (Listen to the podcast here)
A transcript of the interview with Dr. Moondust follows on what we can do to protect ourselves as well as the science and studies into respiratory conditions due to wildfire air pollution and its implications on our health. The presentation is based on a chapter Dr. Moondust contributed entitled: “A Role for Heavy Metal Toxicity and Air Pollution in Respiratory Tract Cancers” in the publication: “Heavy Metal Toxicity in Public Health,” 978-1-83880-436-7. Find the links to the chapter published online here.
Q. Hello, Dr. Moondust. So, today, we’re talking about wildfires, air pollution, and cancer.
A. That’s right, Helena.
“Smoking is hazardous to your health” is a phrase that is commonly used and understood in many parts of the world.
Q. Oh, yes, we’re all familiar with that saying!
*Well, in actuality, “smoke” is the hazard. The inhalation of smoke from cigarettes, indoor air pollution, and forest fires currently constitutes a serious public health issue of increasing importance as environmental conditions rapidly deteriorate on the planet.
*Cigarette smoke and air pollution have been associated with lung cancer and nasopharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, respectively.
*In developing countries, indoor air pollution due to the domestic use of unprocessed biomass fuels such as wood, dung, and coal is another cause of respiratory tract cancers in humans; Women and young children are exposed to high levels of indoor air pollution daily; Epidemiological evidence suggests that indoor air pollution increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and of acute respiratory infections in childhood, which are the most important cause of death among preschool children in developing nations.
*In some developed countries such as Australia and Canada, the alarming increase in forest fire frequency due to climate-change and the associated smoke released into the environment is also likely to pose a future human health risk; Model predictions for Canada display dramatic increases in fire frequency in the country and, over recent decades, the area burned by wildland fires in Canada has steadily increased; it is predicted to double by the end of the century accompanied by an increase in length of the fire season
*Currently, research on the health effects of forest and wild fire smoke is limited. However, smoke from these conflagrations contains the same kind of particles as indoor combustion from wood-smoke. Similar to the situation of indoor air pollution from biomass smoke, forest fires generate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can include carcinogens such as benzo (a) pyrene [BaP]. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like BaP can stimulate various biochemical processes in the body including the continuous activation of apoptotic (cell death) pathways that have been linked to the initiation of carcinogenesis. It is of interest that this chemical compound (BaP) is also found in cigarette smoke.
Q. Wow, that’s interesting and covers both local and global impact!
So, these are 3 different ways for us to be exposed to the same cancer-causing agents. There is a lot of common sense and pure science in the mix here for us to learn and to apply in practical steps. In previous posts, Moondust Cosmetics has shared some of these tips. They were articles of easy and effective everyday things we can do during the heaviest of wildfire season such as; how to reduce our exposure to air pollution and to avoid the anticipated health consequences from it – mild to very serious.
Dr. Moondust, at this time can you do something for us? Take us deeper into the science and then share with us what else we can do to protect our health along the lines of how we can apply the science to our everyday actions.
A. So, let’s talk a bit about these common carcinogens called POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS [PAHs] AND, particularly, BENZO (A) PYRENE [BaP]
PAHS*Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives are a major class of organic compounds that are produced as a result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and other organic matter. Consequently, they are prevalent in the human environment and include a number of potent carcinogens. Some of the major sources of these emissions are wood and coal burning, automobiles and other fossil-fuel propelled modes of transportation, heat and power plants, and refuse burning. PAHs are not only present in the air, but are found in many common foods and drinking water and form a significant component of tobacco smoke.
*Levels of PAHs are routinely measured in the atmosphere for air quality assessment
*They can bind to DNA and form dangerous DNA complexes or adducts
*The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, benzo (a) pyrene (BaP), which is a prominent component of indoor/outdoor air pollution and cigarette smoke, is a well-established carcinogen.
*BaP-DNA adducts have been observed in lung cancer patients and in experimental animals following BaP exposure; There is also some evidence for BaP-induced breast cancer in women
*BPDE-DNA adducts have been reported in the white blood cells of occupationally exposed workers and cigarette smokers. (BPDE is a BAP metabolite)
*There is a strong positive correlation between this type of BaP/BaP metabolite DNA adduct formation and risk for lung cancer in humans.
*An elevated frequency of BPDE-induced chromosomal aberrations has also been observed in lymphocyte cultures from lung cancer patients.
*Moreover, animal studies have revealed a highly reproducible association between BaP exposure and respiratory tract tumours in Syrian golden hamsters and lung cancer in mice.
*BaP treatment of mouse hepatoma cells can cause cell death via various mechanisms; In a Bap-treated human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, necrosis is induced at 12 hours and apoptosis at 24 hours, respectively, due to a dramatic increase in oxidative stress and activation of apoptotic pathways has been linked to carcinogenesis in a number of cancer models
*Although many epidemiological studies have been carried out on smokers with lung cancer, there is also evidence to suggest that people living in urban areas have an increased risk of lung cancer due to higher levels of air pollution in these areas. A number of studies have indicated a correlation between lung cancer risk and exposure to urban air pollutants, particularly inhalable and fine particulate matter. In animal experiments, lung toxicity, inflammatory effects, genotoxicity, and rodent carcinogenicity have been demonstrated for diesel exhaust and urban air particulates via oxidative DNA damage.
Q. So, now to the question of what can we do to help our bodies cope with wildfire smoke – we know the obvious steps like closing windows when the Air Quality Index is above 50 (not healthy); avoiding outdoor exercise at those times; and, having indoor air purifiers at home. As a biochemist, I know you’re big on supplementation – do you have any suggestions for us?
A. Definitely, I do, Helena. It involves ANTIOXIDANTS AND DETOXIFICATION.
Inside the cell, the harmful effects of oxygen and free radicals are balanced by the antioxidant action of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants that help in the process of detoxification.
*Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a family of enzymes that detoxify a number of carcinogens including (PAHs). Interestingly, the presence of intracellular zinc appears to boost glutathione levels in certain cell types and, thus, zinc supplementation may be a useful measure in the prevention of lung cancer from tobacco smoke by boosting GST activities. Glutathione supplementation may also be helpful.
*Vitamin C and vitamin E treatment together has been reported to result in a significant reduction in smoking-related BaP-DNA adducts in women and suggests that antioxidant supplementation may help to mitigate some of the carcinogenic effects of BaP exposure.
Black tea polyphenols have been observed to suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis during BaP-induced lung carcinogenesis in mice, possibly in a two-step model (I’m always talking about) involving an initial elevation in apoptosis followed by resistance to apoptosis. The occurrence of carcinoma has been effectively reduced as a result of this treatment.
Q. So, this really brings us back round to climate change, doesn’t it?
A. Absolutely! And, here’s why –
Despite our local efforts, nothing short of an international effort is required to tackle climate-change effectively by cutting greenhouse gas emissions (mainly, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) on a global scale. Tree planting is a popular carbon capture remediation method world-wide and helps promote biodiversity.
Nuclear energy is sometimes portrayed as a clean replacement for fossil fuels. However, it continues to contaminate the environment despite the production of smaller, new generation reactors. One only has to look to environmental disasters like Sellafield as we’ve discussed.
In addition, a ban on the use of nuclear weapons and nuclear testing should be initiated, since there is already evidence to suggest that atmospheric nuclear explosions have contributed to climate-change by increasing carbon emissions.
Therefore, real, long-term solutions to curb carbon and other harmful emissions are essential. Carbon neutral hydrogen technology is a prime candidate. Other clean, sustainable and renewable energy sources include water, wind, and solar power. At the same time, vegetarianism and veganism are proving to be popular solutions for reducing excessive methane and nitrous oxide emissions from beef cattle ranching and dairy farming.
Thank you, Dr. Moondust for the insights you have shared today.
And thank you, dear listeners.
Catch up if you like on the scientific papers, and posts pertaining to healthy lifestyles and in particular skin and sun care information you can use as you work, play or travel in our environment –please join us at moondustcosmetics.com
Till next time, be safe and well.
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