A team of scientists from McGill University conducted a study that helped determine the relationship between wildfires and the subsequent development of cancer in people living near the fire zone.. It is reported by News Medical Life Sciences..

During the study, which lasted for 20 years, scientists analyzed the health data of about 2 million people living in Canada.

“Regularly occurring fires in a certain area can have long-term consequences for the population living near these forest areas.. Observations show that living close to wildfires contributes to an increase in the incidence of lung cancer, brain cancer and some other types of cancer,” says Associate Professor Scott Weihental, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health..

According to experts, living in a 50-kilometer zone from a forest fire for 10 years increases the risk of developing brain cancer by almost 10%, and lung cancer by 4.9%.. Scientists are concerned that global warming on the planet may contribute to an increase in the number of forest fires, which means that the risk of developing oncology among the population living in the immediate vicinity of the fire will also increase..

Researchers are also concerned about the pollution of the aquatic environment, soil, as well as internal premises associated with compounds released during the combustion of forests..

“While some compounds formed during forest burning decompose over time and do not pose a threat to human health, released heavy metals and hydrocarbons can persist in the environment for a long time, causing irreparable harm to human health, causing the development of serious diseases..

medical-heal. en.