The study, which was published in Nature Communications, shows that wildfires can convert metals in the soil into cancerous particles that spread through the air. This poses a threat to people living nearby.
Although heavy metals – such as chromium – often go undetected in the mix of particles and gases emitted by fire smoke, they have the potential to become carcinogens. Chromium, found in soils in various regions of the world, can be transformed from a safe form into a dangerous one that causes cancer, writes Ridus.ru.
Scientists from Stanford’s School of Sustainability conducted a study of wildfire-affected nature reserves in California. They found that the concentration of toxic chromium in burned areas of the soil was significantly higher than in unburned areas. Even after a fire has been extinguished, people may still be affected as fine soil particles can be carried by strong winds.
Health harm usually decreases some time after rainfall, which washes away the metals. However, due to climate change and increasing droughts, these rains may take weeks or even months to arrive.
The study also highlights the dangers of wildfire smoke, which contains particulate matter PM 2.5 that can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Other metals (such as manganese, iron and nickel) may also pose a risk, but more research is needed to prove it.
Forest fires can have positive aspects, such as clearing rotting matter from the soil. However, due to the climate crisis, they are becoming more destructive and affecting larger areas. UN forecasts show a 30% increase in extreme wildfires by 2050.
Thus, regular forest fires pose a health hazard.
Source: Rosbalt
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