Globe Climate: The dangers of breathing wildfire smoke
- Media Manager
- Jun 11, 2023
- 1 min read
The Globe and Mail
Written By: Samantha Edwards
Published: June 12th, 2023
While the air quality has improved dramatically in recent days, experts say we shouldn’t be lulled into believing that the worst is over. Already, this year is on track to be the worst year for wildfires in Canada on record. And that can have serious implications for our health.
Breathing in wildfire smoke is dangerous for a number of reasons. The air pollution caused by forest fires can be especially problematic for at-risk individuals, such as people with asthma, lung disease and other conditions.
But wildfire smoke poses health risks to everyone. That’s because it contains a mix of fine particles, which can include volatile organic compounds and ozone, that enter into our bloodstream when we breathe them into our lungs. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, there’s “no evidence of a safe level of exposure” for these pollutants.
Research into the impacts of this kind of air pollution is still evolving, but there are concerns that it can be linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, for instance. It’s a sobering reality. Many of the researchers I spoke with were very frank about the fact that poor air quality events will become a bigger fact of life, even in areas far flung from wildfire hot spots. And they urge the public to consider how to protect themselves, whether that means keeping their kids home from outdoor recreational events during times of poor air quality, or wearing a mask if they have to be outside for an extended period when pollution levels are high.
