Why is the air quality so bad? What to know about the health dangers of wildfire smoke

Exposure to wildfire smoke drifting across the country has been linked to increased risks of heart, lung and brain problems

In addition to hearts and lungs, wildfire smoke may mess with the human brain, emerging research suggests.

Fine particulate matter carried in wildfire smoke can enter the brain via the bloodstream, causing inflammation and oxidative stress, a condition resulting from too many cell-damaging molecules called free radicals and not enough antioxidants to mop them up, one theory holds.

Recently, scientists have linked exposure to wildfire smoke to increased risks for impaired cognitive function, memory loss, greater odds of being diagnosed with dementia and an increase in emergency department visits for anxiety, depression, psychotic episodes and other mental-health