Why burning garden debris can impair blood oxygen transport

Autumn cleanup often involves burning garden debris, but this practice can introduce risks to respiratory health. Wet leaves burn slowly and often suffer from oxygen deficiency, which leads to the release of dense smoke containing products of incomplete combustion. Fine soot particles and carbon monoxide tend to linger in the lower air layers, particularly during windless weather, making them easier to inhale. The chemical composition of the smoke depends on what is being burned. Road dust, residual agrochemicals, and soil impurities can transform into aggressive compounds when heated. The situation worsens if plastic packaging or household waste is added to the fire, increasing the concentration of toxic substances. As reported by Gazeta.Ru, carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin more effectively than oxygen does, which impairs the blood's ability to transport oxygen. Andrey Dorokhov, a PhD in Chemistry and Associate Professor at RTU MIREA, notes that the accumulation of harmful fractions in the air is a significant concern. He pointed out that high concentrations occur specifically when there is no wind to disperse the smoke.