<ul><li>The increased frequency and intensity of wildfires pose a significant risk to communities, particularly in urban areas where the impact is not only limited to property destruction but extends to public health threats.</li><li>Recent research from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) highlights how wildfires can contaminate drinking water distribution systems, introducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and endangering the health of millions.</li><li>These harmful compounds, including benzene, a known carcinogen, can infiltrate water systems through thermal degradation of plastic pipes or the infiltration of smoke, posing serious risks to vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.</li><li>The study calls for robust monitoring, testing protocols, regulatory frameworks, and public awareness initiatives to address and mitigate the impact of wildfire-induced risks to water safety.</li></ul>

Scientists Alert to Wildfire-Induced Risks to Water Safety

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