Toxic tree emissions add to heatwave risk

TOXIC emissions from trees that are “dangerous to public health” increase during heatwaves, along with other air pollutants, scientists have found.

- By Stephen Beech

They took air samples during August and early September last year and analysed them for noxious molecules such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, ozone and nanoparticles.

Surprising

And they discovered that during heatwaves, trees release more natural VOCs, including isoprene a precursor to ozone - that could be harmful in heavily wooded places.