Wildfire Smoke Might Be More Toxic Than Other Air Pollution, Studies Say

MONDAY, Sept. 21, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Wildfire smoke might pose a greater health risk to humans than other sources of air pollution, two new Mount Sinai studies say.

Particle pollution from wildfires appears to diminish the survival odds of lung cancer patients, a study published Sept. 15 in The Lancet Oncology found.

Wildfire smoke is also linked to an increased risk of hospitalization for heart or lung disease, researchers reported Sept. 17 in the journal Nature Communications.