B.C. boy, 9, dies from asthma ‘exacerbated’ by wildfire smoke: How smoke impacts asthma

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A nine-year-old boy from British Columbia has died from an asthma attack, which his parents say was worsened by smoke from wildfires.

Carter Vigh died in an emergency room on July 11, after long-lasting CPR attempts by staff.

His mom, Amber Vigh, told CBC hospital staff "tried everything" in a Monday interview near 100 Mile House, B.C.

"I just stood there and just told him that I loved him and just to breathe... This time was just different."

As reported by CBC, Vigh said Carter had asthma his whole life and always had a puffer with him.

That day, he was at a birthday party, "when the air was clearer," and showed no signs of struggling. In the evening, he began coughing and it eventually became worse until his mom took him to the hospital. According to the broadcaster, Carter later lost consciousness and staff "performed CPR for 25 minutes before the boy was declared dead."

Vigh and her husband James told CBC they were told their son likely had a severe asthma attack exacerbated by smoky air.

Fires still burning

Wildfires have been burning across Canada for over a month, in what was declared as the worst wildfire season on record for the country.

As of Wednesday, there are more than 880 wildfires burning — majority out of control — including more than 370 in B.C. alone.

Special statements for poor air quality were issued in B.C., Alberta, Yukon, Quebec, the Northwest Territories and parts of Saskatchewan.

Expert weighs in on wildfire smoke impact on children

Dr. Chung-Wai Chow tells Yahoo Canada smoke exacerbates the symptoms of pre-existing lung conditions, in both children and adults.

However, children are of a higher concern because they have smaller lungs and less developed airways.

How common are chronic lung conditions?

Chow, a transplant respirologist at the University Health Network in Toronto, said asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the third most common health issues facing Canadians.

A 2021 report from Asthma Canada outlined more than 3.8 million Canadians are affected by asthma, and about 250 people die from it each year.

According to Chow, "we will see more and more cases of asthma" in the country.

"I fully expect, unfortunately... chronic diseases like asthma and COPD will become a greater and greater percentage of our healthcare problems in the years to come."

Impact of smoke on the lungs

Chow said there are two ways in which human lungs are impacted by the smoke: acute exposures and chronic exposures.

Air pollutants from smoke linger in the air, she said, leading to poor air quality even after smoke — and they travel with the wind.

"There's an irritant effect because these particles, they're a little bit toxic, so people who breathe that in will get a sore throat, get stinging eyes, a cough," Chow explained. "Some people get a sensation of burning in their throat or have a sense of shortness of breath."

For children, the impact can be more severe.

"Our airways and our lungs continue to grow and develop into our late teens and early 20s," Chow said.

"Healthy young children, if they're exposed over long periods of time, will end up with smaller lungs and smaller airways and fewer lumbar airways than someone who has not been exposed."

Older patients are also at higher risk, she added, as the immune system becomes less active and people become more susceptible to respiratory symptoms.

Another impact is that air pollution (including particles from smoke) is "associated with the transport of respiratory pathogens, viruses and bacteria," Chow claimed.

Overall, the long-term impact "increases infection and decreases the immune response to our ability to actually respond to these infections appropriately."

As far as short-term impacts, Chow said what's currently presenting is cough, sputum and allergies. But, she emphasized though wildfires have been only happening now for two months, they reoccur every year.

Impact of smoke on those with asthma

Smoke can impact healthy lungs, but adding a chronic lung condition into the mix means "exacerbations," Chow said. With asthma, that means more asthma attacks.

Chow said asthma is a "reversible disease" by definition.

"One of the concerns is that with repeated episodes of exacerbations, is that the reversibility decreases."

The respirologist explained patients with asthma who are exposed to irritants — such as smoke — can have an immediate reaction, or a delayed one.

Since the start of the summer, and the wildfire season, Chow said it's evident in emergency departments there are more people coming in with respiratory symptoms.

"They were well-maintained, on the current medications, and then with the really bad pollution in the summer, people are actually having more symptoms."

What parents of children with asthma can do

According to Chow, the best move to protect yourself from smoke is "avoidance," though acknowledging it can be difficult for those living in polluted areas.

"Keeping yourself or your children from being exposed means [being] in a climate controlled environment."

She recommends investing in HEPA filters. But, that's not enough.

"We all want our kids to play and exercise, and I hate sort of giving this advice, but I think it's necessary. On days when the air quality is bad is to keep your kids and yourself inside.

For those who must spend time outdoors when air quality is low, she recommended wearing an N95 mask that can filter pollutant particles.

Specifically with asthma, Chow reminded parents to make sure maintenance puffers are being used regularly. It "will do a lot in terms of protecting them from getting more symptoms, even if they are exposed."

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