By Vanessa Ybarra

TRU professor warns of dangers of wildfire smoke in new book

Nov 18, 2017 | 10:40 AM

KAMLOOPS — A TRU professor is writing a book on the health effects of various air pollutants that will include a chapter on this summer’s wildfires.

“It’s really important that we understand the nature of the risk and how it’s managed,” said Michael Mehta, Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at TRU. “There was a lot of government mismanagement of the exposures and denial on the part of government as well as everyday people to admit that these risks exist.”

According to Mehta, wood smoke contains more than 200 toxic chemicals and can cause a vareity of health issues for people of all ages.

“There’s studies that link air pollution to kidney disease. There are even a large number of studies emerging on osteoporosis risks where pollution is affecting the important proteins and hormones that are responsible for laying down mass.”

Mehta says his book will focus on public reaction to the summer wildfires, government response as well a comparison of air quality data provided by the environment ministry and the air quality monitoring website Purple Air.

Boogie The Bridge

Boogie The Bridge Event Information

Apr 19, 2024

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Short-term rental rules coming into effect in British Columbia

3h ago

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Board may as well not have asked public about school's name

8h ago

“The objective is to explain to the public how our understanding of air pollution has changed and to stimulate changes in policy and cue family doctors to look for the effects of exposure to air pollution.”

The city reached a stagering level 49 on the Air Health Quality Index during the height of the wildfire season.

It was the worst air quality recorded in recent history in Kamloops. 

Mehta is taking a six month sabbatical in December to write the book.

He expects to have it publihed in the next two to three years.