The wildfires scorching Los Angeles are releasing a particularly toxic mix of smoke due to the burning of buildings, vehicles, and other urban materials, posing greater health risks than typical wildfires. This combination of smoke from wildfires and urban fires is a rare occurrence, and scientists are just beginning to understand its full impact.
Los Angeles is already infamous for poor air quality. But the fires scorching the area now are sending up plumes of black smoke that pose threats to human health beyond that of standard wildfires.A resident of a senior centre is evacuated from the area amid the L.A. fires on Jan. 7. The smoke caused by so many burning buildings and vehicles contains more toxic substances than that of a standard wildfire, researchers say. Los Angeles is already infamous for poor air quality.
But wildfire smoke has its own effects on the blood, which are thought to increase risk beyond the lungs when the blood circulatesLos Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said fire crews and water tankers are being positioned in strategic locations as officials prepare for what forecasters are warning will be powerful, dangerous winds.
Smoke can also irritate the eyes and throat leading to itching, coughing and sneezing, Carlsten says.Urban fires combined with wildfire smoke, like what's happening in L.A., don't happen often, and scientists are just starting to study the effects. Smoke from standard wildfires is "bad enough," said Barnes. "When synthetic materials burn, they give off even more toxic material agents."
WILDFIRE AIR QUALITY HEALTH RISKS URBAN FIRES SANTA ANA WINDS
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