How wildfires can spread cancer-causing chemicals
Wildfire smoke is known for producing and spreading high levels of harmful fine particulates, but it may also be creating carcinogenic soil and ash, according to new research.
The study, published Tuesday in Nature Communications, found that California wildfires activate a chemical element called chromium in its carcinogenic form in soil and create heaps of cancerous ash from burned infrastructure and vegetation. Layers of soil become carcinogenic because of high wildfire temperatures — and all the ash that forms and builds up could linger for nearly a year after the flames die down.
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