Wildfire Smoke May Also Include Microbes
July 23, 2021
This story written by Angela Palmero was published in The Lewiston Tribune on July 23.
Residents of the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and surrounding cities have woken up to a haze of wildfire smoke for the last two weeks registering between “moderate” and “unhealthy” on the U.S. Air Quality Index. Wildfire smoke is made up of gases and fine particles produced when trees, vegetation and other organic materials burn. The health effects of breathing in it are well-documented, and prolonged exposure is associated with risk of asthma, strokes and respiratory infection. However, less is known about the microorganisms transported by wildfire smoke. Leda Kobziar, a fire ecologist at the University of Idaho, is one of the leading figures in the field of pyroaerobiology. Read more.
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to nearly 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu