California Wildfires 2025: Dioxin Smoke's Impact on Food Safety #trending #FoodSafety #HealthAlert Los Angeles Wildfires: A Threat to Air Quality and Food Safety In this insightful video, we explore the severe impact of the recent Los Angeles wildfires on air quality and food safety. Driven by fierce Santa Ana winds and fueled by an extended drought, these catastrophic fires have scorched tens of thousands of acres, marking them as some of the most destructive in California’s history. Smoke and Air Quality: Wildfire smoke is significantly more toxic than typical urban air pollution. It contains harmful gases and particulate matter from burning vegetation and synthetic materials such as plastics, rubber, and treated asphalt from buildings, cars, and homes. In Los Angeles, fine particulate matter recently peaked at dangerous levels of 40-100 micrograms per cubic meter—8 to 20 times beyond the World Health Organization's recommended maximum levels. Health Risks: The smoke from these fires carries cancer-causing chemicals, including pro-cancer agents and dioxins, which are released into the air. Even at minuscule exposure levels, these chemicals pose serious health risks. The United States Department of Agriculture warns that the smoke plumes, reaching up to 14 miles (23 kilometers) into the stratosphere, can impact households thousands of miles away, making even distant homes vulnerable. Impact on Food Safety: Dioxin clouds could potentially settle on California’s food crops, threatening the entire national food supply chain. This contamination poses a serious threat to food safety, as these toxins can render food unsafe to consume. Join us as we delve into the dangers posed by these unprecedented wildfires and the steps necessary to protect our health and food supply. #LosAngelesWildfires #AirQuality #FoodSafety #Dioxins #SantaAnaWinds #CaliforniaWildfires For more information, read the full article on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2025/01/11/los-angeles-wildfire-air-quality-threatens-food-safety Subscribe for more updates on environmental issues and safety tips.