Open burning produces smoke that contains air pollutants. Exposure to these pollutants can worsen existing heart and lung conditions and have other harmful effects, including premature death.People at higher risk of experiencing harmful health effects from smoke exposure include children, older adults, pregnant women, people with pre-existing heart and lung diseases, and people of low socioeconomic status.
People with or recovering from COVID-19 may have diminished lung function and therefore might be at particularly high risk of respiratory health effects after exposure to smoke from open burning.