Smoke from wildfires linked with ED visits for headache and migraine

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-07-25 01:00

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International researchers say there is a link between particulate matter caused by wildfires and people heading to the ED with migraine or headache symptoms. The team looked at nearly a million ED visits in Canada between 2010 and 2023, and say wildfire-sourced fine particulate matter - with a diameter of 2.5μm or less - was linked with a 6% increase in people heading to the hospital with head-related pain. This link was weaker in the wealthiest areas, the researchers add, and no link was seen on days without wildfires.

News release

From: JAMA

Wildfire-Sourced PM and Emergency Department Visits for Migraine and Other Primary Headache

Is exposure to wildfire-sourced fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM 2.5) associated with emergency department (ED) visits for migraine and other primary headache syndromes? In this case-crossover study of 997 701 ED visits in Alberta and Ontario, Canada, between 2010 and 2023, wildfire-sourced PM 2.5 was significantly associated with a 6% increase in ED visits for migraine and other primary headache syndromes. Associations were attenuated in the least materially and socially deprived areas, and no significant association was observed for PM 2.5 on nonwildfire days. These findings suggest that wildfire-sourced PM 2.5 may precede severe headache episodes requiring ED care.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Canada

Funder: This study was supported by the Air Health Effects Research Section of Health Canada under the Air Quality Program.

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