Scott Fendorf

Wildfires in California could transform natural metals into cancer-causing compounds

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Wildfires in parts of the US West could transform a benign form of chromium into its cancer-causing counterpart – potentially endangering first responders and surrounding communities, a new study shows. The research, published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, identified high levels of the dangerous metal hexavalent chromium, or chromium-6, at specific types of combustion … Read more

Wildfires in California created toxic chromium, research shows

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After some recent intense wildfires in Northern California, scientists tested samples of scorched soil and were disturbed by their findings: It was loaded with a carcinogenic metal called hexavalent chromium. Scientists believe the heat from severe wildfires could transform a benign version of the metal, common in California soil, into a notorious carcinogen, according to … Read more