Toxic Chromium: A Hidden Danger in California Wildfires

Recent research published in the journal Nature Communications reveals that intense wildfires in Northern California have been found to produce toxic levels of hexavalent chromium, a cancer-causing metal. The heat from severe wildfires can transform the benign form of chromium commonly found in California soil into a carcinogenic dust and ash. As climate change intensifies wildfires, the risk of exposure to harmful smoke containing toxic metals increases. Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen and exposure to large amounts of it is associated with lung cancer. The findings highlight the need for further research on the health risks posed by wildfire smoke and the impact of climate change on the severity and frequency of wildfires.