How wildfire smoke destroys fertility in men and women and wreaks havoc on our bodies: ‘Giant toxic soup’

The flames are not the only thing wreaking havoc.

As public awareness of the steadily increasing number of wildfires — such as the recent Dove Fire in downtown Sonora near Yosemite National Park that has forced mandatory evacuations, and the recent Ontario wildfires that prompted an Air Quality Health Advisory across the Big Apple — continues to rise, experts emphasize that the accompanying smoke inhalation needs to be taken seriously, especially for those trying to conceive or who are already pregnant.

According to a study published in early 2026 by the National Library of Medicine, scientists found that inhalation of wildfire smoke can decrease semen concentration and total motile sperm count, producing an overwhelmingly negative effect on sperm quality.

Additionally, the smoke can also increase the risk of premature births in pregnant women and contribute to lower-than-average weight in babies, some of whom will subsequently suffer from breathing issues in a lifelong capacity, per a 2024 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

While the effects of wildfire smoke inhalation can be magnified for pregnant people and those in the process of conceiving, it’s no picnic for anyone else, either. The smoke attacks nearly every part of the body, spiking respiratory issues like asthma, triggering heart attacks and even mental health issues, according to scientists who spoke with the Associated Press.

These health effects — which Harvard School of Public Health environmental health scientist Dr. Mary Johnson said have been examined with “more and more studies coming out” after the globally reaching wildfires of 2018 and 2019 — can be devastating, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of people per year.

Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency room physician, chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance and president-elect of the Canadian Medical Association, told the Associated Press that wildfire smoke — which she described as “a toxic product of whatever burned” (including houses and cars) — is “really a big giant toxic soup of particles and gasses.”

According to Colorado State University environmental toxicologist Luke Montrose, the toxins that lurk in wildfire smoke come to at least 1,000.

“If I gave you a list, you would recognize some of these as being very bad, oftentimes associated with the burning of diesel fuel or cigarette smoke, things like formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds,” Montrose said to the outlet. “So just the smoke itself can be bad.”

When faced with a wildfire and its effects, using masks outdoors, staying in a space with a decent ventilation system and sealing indoor airways are all good options. When it comes down to it, Johnson advised staying away from the smoke at all costs.

“Staying away from the smoke is No. 1 if you can,” said Johnson.

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