To better understand these chemicals, we used passive air samplers (Fresh Air Clips) to collect air pollution data in Kamloops and Kelowna, British Columbia, from March-September 2024. We measured chemical concentrations before, during, and after wildfire season, and also used wind data, wildfire perimeters, and air parcel trajectory models to track air movement and identify smoke-affected days. We then applied advanced statistical modeling to group samples into clusters based on their chemical makeup.

We found that air pollution peaked between July and August, with higher levels in Kamloops. Some clusters reflected background conditions, while others captured wildfire smoke rich in harmful pollutants like plasticizers (phthalates) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Our findings show that wildfire smoke can carry a wide range of toxic chemicals, often from multiple sources, and highlight the need for more detailed air quality monitoring and international cooperation.