Smoke from wildfires in Australia toxic to public, experts say | CBC News
Wildfire smoke poses two major threats to health: lung
aggravation and toxicity. When materials such as plastics burn, hard
metals such as lead can catch a ride into the body on smoke particles.
aggravation and toxicity. When materials such as plastics burn, hard
metals such as lead can catch a ride into the body on smoke particles.
Due
to its tiny particle size, once inhaled smoke can travel throughout the
bloodstream and wreak havoc on any area of the body, said Stanford
University’s Dr. Maria Prunicki, a scientist and physician who studied
the health effects of Californians’ exposure to wildfires.
As Earth’s climate heats up, scientists say more wildfires can be expected around the world.