화재 이후에도 다른 위협은 지속된다.

[홀랜]

A factory in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, is seen destroyed on Friday by the wildfire that burned through the area the day before. (Yonhap)

Wildfire smoke raises alarms over air pollution, toxic exposure

As wildfires across South Korea’s southeastern region rage on for nearly a week, the damage is no longer confined to scorched forests and burnt-out homes. In the aftermath, another threat has begun to surface — one less visible but potentially devastating: toxic air pollution.

On Thursday, ultrafine dust levels in the wildfire-hit areas of North Gyeongsang Province surged to record-breaking levels. In Andong, concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reached 537 micrograms per cubic meter, more than seven times the “very bad” threshold of 75. Nearby Cheongsong saw an even higher spike of 557. Both communities are located in basins, where smoke tends to settle and stagnate.

Images captured by Korea’s weather satellite showed that the smoke has already drifted across the East Sea, blanketing parts of Japan in a stark reminder of how far wildfire pollution can travel.

More alarming, scientists warn, is that wildfire smoke is not ordinary air pollution. It is significantly more toxic. Unlike urban smog, smoke from wildfires is a complex mix of ultrafine particles, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and carcinogenic chemicals released from burning vegetation, soil and man-made structures like homes and vehicles.

When the smoke is inhaled, the tiny particles in the haze can penetrate deep into the lungs and travel through the body via blood vessels, impacting all organs in the body, including the cardiovascular system and even the brain.

International research backs these warnings. A UCLA study found that fine particulate pollution from wildfires in California between 2008 and 2018 contributed to more than 50,000 premature deaths. Another study in Canada revealed that people living within 50 kilometers of wildfire-prone areas were significantly more likely to develop lung cancer or brain tumors.

For South Korea’s elderly, especially in the hard-hit North Gyeongsang Province, which has one of the oldest populations in the country, the health risks are even greater. A US study focusing on older adults in Southern California found that prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke increased the risk of dementia.

Experts caution that the effects of smoke exposure can linger for years, increasing the risks of chronic respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and immune dysfunction.

As a precaution, health officials advise residents to stay indoors with the windows sealed, use high-grade air purifiers, and wear KF94 or stronger masks outdoors.

jychoi@heraldcorp.com