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Expert: Health consequences of wildfire smoke

Published: 28 August 2025

Canada’s 2023 wildfire season caused the country’s worst air pollution levels since 1998, according to It warns that if such pollution levels persist, Canadians could lose about two years of life expectancy.

Jean Bourbeau, MD, is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and Director of the COPD Clinic and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Health Centre. He can comment on how air pollution affects lung health and respiratory diseases. has demonstrated that even exposure to low concentrations of air pollution is associated with lower lung function.

jean.bourbeau [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)

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