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When the sky turns an eerie shade of orange in the middle of the day, as people across several U.S. states and Canada are experiencing this week, you know something has gone very wrong. Apocalyptic movies use that color for a reason – it’s unsettling. It’s also what happens when sunlight is scattered by lots of wildfire smoke particles in the air.
Those tiny particles can get into your nose and throat and travel deep into your body, with potentially serious consequences for your health. Colleen Reid, an environmental health expert who works on wildfire smoke issues at the University of Colorado, explains in our lead article today what’s in wildfire smoke, the health risks and why episodes like this are becoming more frequent. She also shares some tips on what you can do to prepare and stay safe.
Remember: If you can smell smoke, you’re breathing it in. Knowing what to do can help you protect your health.
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