California's massive wildfires bring a host of health concerns for vulnerable populations, firefighters and others. Kari Nadeau and Mary Prunicki of Stanford's Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research discuss related threats, preparedness and ongoing research.
By Rob Jordan
Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment
The cloak of wildfire smoke that has descended across huge swaths of Northern California is a visible reminder of air pollution's health threats. For people at high risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms, the bad air presents a new challenge. For firefighters and others exposed to large amounts of smoke, the long-term effects are uncertain.
Kari Nadeau, director of Stanford's Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy & Asthma Research, and Mary Prunicki
