Tag Archives: Scott Fendorf

California wildfires may be converting natural metals into cancer-causing compounds

Wildfires in some parts of the western United States may be converting a benign form of chromium into its cancer-causing counterpart, according to a new study; This could potentially endanger first responders and surrounding communities. The research, published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, detected high levels of the hazardous metal hexavalent chromium, or chromium-6,… Read More »

Research findings reveal California wildfires produce toxic chromium

After recent intense wildfires in Northern California, scientists tested samples of burned soil and were disturbed by their findings: It was loaded with a cancer-causing metal called hexavalent chromium. Scientists think the heat of raging wildfires may turn a benign version of the metal commonly found in California soil into a notorious carcinogen, according to… Read More »