Do not inhale! How wildfire smoke 'affects the whole body'

Researchers are beginning to understand the long-term impact of wildfire smoke exposure on human health. "Your whole body is affected," said Yang Liu, Professor of Environmental Health at Emory University in Atlanta. "Wildfire smoke causes oxidative stress to your system and exacerbates or accelerates the development of diseases.

" In a study published in January 2026, Yang Liu and other researchers found that repeated exposure to even moderate amounts of smoke increases the risk of stroke among older adults. A month later, another study found that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke had contributed to an average of 24,100 deaths a year in the United States between 2006 and 2020.