Menu Close

Articles on Smoke

Displaying 1 - 20 of 41 articles

Thick smoke fills the air and nearly blocks out the sun, east of Kamloops, B.C., on Aug. 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfire smoke may warm the Earth for longer than we thought

Brown carbon refers to a range of pollutants found in smoke from wildfires. They can contribute to global warming before they undergo a process that alters their chemical properties.
Bad air pollution and extreme heat each raise health risks, but they’re worse combined. Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Extreme heat + air pollution can be deadly, with the health risk together worse than either alone

The worst effects are during high nighttime temperatures, something happening more often with climate change. Wildfires add to the risk.
Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of toxic pollutants that can be harmful to both the lungs and the brain. Bloomberg Creative/ Bloomberg Creative Photos via Getty Images

Neurotoxins in the environment are damaging human brain health – and more frequent fires and floods may make the problem worse

Pollution from more frequent floods and wildfires – exacerbated by the warming climate – is threatening human health and poses particular risks to the brain.
People with a plan feel more empowered and self-reliant during wildfire disasters. They have better mental and physical health outcomes than those who were less prepared. (Shutterstock)

Prepare for the worst: 10 steps to get ready for wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke is both inevitable and largely unpredictable. We need to change our activities and behaviours to limit exposure to wildfire smoke and protect health.
Sampling wildfire smoke sometimes means sticking a tube out the window of an airplane. Brett Palm/University of Washington

Wildfire smoke changes dramatically as it ages, and that matters for downwind air quality – here’s what we learned flying through smoke plumes

Thousands of chemical compounds in wildfire smoke are interacting with each other and sunlight as the smoke travels. For people downwind, it can become more toxic over time.

Top contributors

More