The threat of Wildfire Smoke in the Chesapeake Bay may not be as drastic as the new study indicates. However, the study does indicate Wildfire smoke poses an unusual increase in the level of certain pollutants in the atmosphere. Particles that are released from burning forests and agricultural fires can have adverse effects on the human respiratory system. Researchers estimate that Chimneys contribute about 40% of the pollution in the atmosphere. In studies, they have found that there is a strong relationship between the frequency of Wildfire Smoke and a number of different pollutants including particulates, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and ozone.
Particles of smoke, known as smoke constituents are thought to cause inflammation of the linings of the lungs. Other researchers have suggested that the smoke might also promote certain types of cancer. The latest research suggests that it may even promote cancer of the mouth and esophagus. This could be bad news for restaurants in the area because the Wildfire smoke often lingers in the air.
Two other pollutants that Wildfire-exposed people were shown to increase in the atmosphere were carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. This study by researchers at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was part of a large-scale effort to quantify the levels of contaminants in the Chesapeake Bay. This was done to help scientists better understand the impact of various types of pollution on the environment. The goal is to reduce the spread of certain pollutants to the point that they are no longer of substantial risk to residents.
During one week in April, the EPA measured levels of nine different pollutants in the Bay. Of the nine, four were considered to be unhealthy to residents. Those four pollutants were lead, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. The study showed that the level of smoke in the air was correlated with those levels.
The researchers believe that the particulate matter that Wildfire-exposed people inhaled has higher levels of toxins than the average person breathes out. Those toxins are carried back into the lungs and transfer to other parts of the body, including the skin, where they can cause damage to cells. That damage causes the symptoms many people experience from irritants in the air. If the smoke from Wildfire can cause that kind of damage, imagine what it could do to a person’s health.
In response to the findings, the EPA is creating a plan to reduce the number of smoke Wildfire releases from its chimneys. Particles are not supposed to reach a level where they are harmful. However, if the particles are inhaled by people, they can build up in the lungs and over time, increase their risks of developing asthma or other respiratory issues. They can also cause irritation to the eye. In some cases, people have reported burning sensations, headaches, coughing, sore throat, and vomiting.
However, experts say the risk is unclear. They say more research needs to be done to determine whether the smoke from Wildfire is dangerous. They also say that there’s reason to be concerned about the amount of heat Wildfire produces. It’s not clear whether the higher temperatures Wildfire produces would increase the amount of smoke it produces.
If you’re concerned about smoking and heating your home, you should contact your HVAC contractor and ask what methods Wildfire uses to ventilate your home. They should be able to provide you with options for reducing the amount of smoke in the air. Although there’s no real way to completely remove Wildfire-related pollution from your home, you can take various measures to make Wildfire less of a problem. That can help you avoid higher health care costs and protect your family from suffering the health consequences of inhaling pollutants. You can also protect your health by calling your HVAC contractor and asking what Wildfire-related chemicals they use to clean the air ducts in your home.
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