By Nancy Lapid
(Reuters) – Multiple massive wildfires are raging in Los Angeles, blanketing the surrounding regions under a pungent haze caused by smoke carrying noxious gases and particulate matter that pose serious health risks.
Here is what you need to know about the risks of the smoke that is likely to linger not only in southern California but in other regions around the world where wildfires are burning:
WHAT IS CONTAINED IN WILDFIRE SMOKE?
More toxic than normal air pollution, wildfire smoke can linger in the air for weeks and travel hundreds of miles.
Wildfires can burn not only vegetative materials and trees but also cities, destroying vehicles and buildings and their contents. Along with particles of soil and biological materials, wildfire smoke often contains traces of chemicals, metals, plastics and other synthetic materials.
WHAT ARE THE KNOWN HEALTH EFFECTS?
In laboratory experiments, a given amount of wildfire smoke…
