New report compares wildfire smoke to car pollution

We’ve all had to live through a lot of wildfire smoke this summer. Just how bad is it for you? A new study wants to find out if it’s as harmful as second-hand smoke or car pollution.

“More about the amount of smoke, the amount of particulate matter which are the solid and potential liquid particles that are in the air,” said Robert Laumbach, associate professor of environmental health at Rutgers University.

While comparing Canadian wildfire smoke to second-hand smoke or pollution from vehicles is grabbing attention. Professor Laumbach says the research is still out on whether the smoke itself is more dangerous to breathe than tobacco or exhaust.

Part of what makes it so difficult is what’s burning.

“Including sometimes not just natural trees and underbrush and so on that’s burning, but also homes and other man-made structures. How all that interacts together is more complete and complicated than car emissions, which are regulated,” Laumbach explained.

Edmonton has had a break from smoky skies for the past several days, the city’s air quality currently sitting at moderate risk which is expected into Tuesday.