Top 5 smoke facts
1. Man-made, nature-made, it’s all the same…
Wildfire smoke is no different than campfire smoke or wood-stove smoke – it’s equally harmful to air quality and health.
2. The main concern is…
Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) is the main concern-causing ingredient in smoke. These particles are 2.5 microns (or less) in size, and can travel deep into the lungs, causing respiratory and heart problems.
3. The smaller it is, the farther it goes…
Fine particulate matter found in wood smoke stays in the air longer and travels farther than coarser particles like road dust or sand.
4. And then there’s the gas…
Smoke also contains harmful gasses including Carbon Monoxide, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Dioxins and Furans – common smog and air pollution ingredients.
5. As toxic as…
The toxic content of wood smoke is similar to that of diesel exhaust or tobacco smoke. (Dr. Brian McCarry, McMaster University)