Wildfire smoke can increase hazardous toxic metals in air, study finds

Lead levels increased to 50 times above normal average at site near Camp fire in California, researchers found

Smoke from wildfires - particularly those that burn manmade structures - can significantly increase the amount of hazardous toxic metals present in the air, sending up plumes that can travel for miles, a new study from the California Air Resources Board (Carb) has suggested.

The study compared air monitor readings from numerous California fires, such as the devastating Camp fire that decimated the California town of Paradise in 2018 and killed 85 people.