UN Warns of These Health Risks
According to reports from the World Meteorological Organization, wildfires and heatwaves significantly contribute to air pollution. They lead to increased emission of toxic fine particles (PM2.5), which can sometimes be more hazardous than car exhaust fumes, resulting in over 100,000 deaths worldwide between 2010 and 2018. Despite efforts by European and American regulations to reduce industrial emissions, affected areas experiencing fires have seen a buildup of these particles. Additionally, particles produced from the combustion of plants, such as soot and tiny plastic particles, are even more toxic and are carried by the wind, harming human health and the environment. This increases the risk of respiratory diseases and premature deaths. The organization emphasizes the need for comprehensive and coordinated policies to monitor air quality and climate, given the link between air pollution and climate change—which worsens heatwaves and fires—and highlights the importance of improving the monitoring of pollutants like ozone and microplastics.
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