Wildfires cost more than $100 billion dollars in annual wages in the US
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The closure of schools, the cancellation of activities and work stoppages due to forest smoke in large cities represents a high cost economic
According to experts, forest fires intensify every year due to climate changes, causing great air pollution. Currently, the large and main cities of the United States have been affected, this problem can represent the loss of more than $100 billion dollars in annual salaries.
This year, smoke from Canada's forests is engulfing the northeast of the country, so many outdoor activities have been rescheduled, businesses have their employees home from home, and hundreds of schools closed , this pause represents a high economic cost.
According to a recent report by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which was carried out by Stanford researchers, it was shown that just one day of exposure to wildfire smoke reduces a person's quarterly income by 0.1%. The results showed that some $125,000 dollars a year were lost due to this cause.
To these data are added bills for illnesses caused by smoke, the tiny particles are dangerous to those who suffer from asthma, lung or heart problems, an estimated $2,500 a year is spent on health by the average American due to air pollution.
According to Paul Billings, national vice president of public policy for the American Lung Association “these particles actually get into the blood and create a wide range of health problems, including strokes, heart attacks and different types of cancer he said.
Therefore, air pollution from forest fires represents enormous costs, not only now, but for years, which are reflected in absences from work, lower productivity, closure of schools and in the worst case scenario serious illnesses.