With wildfires increasing in activity in the Western United States and
around the world, there is an immediate need to understand the toxic
effects of the smoke. This chapter will provide a background of
toxicology and apply principle concepts such as dose, duration and
frequency to help define the potential effects of smoke exposure.
Characteristics that influence toxicity will be discussed, which include
particle size, source and temperature and the mixture of chemical
constituents. An overview of the routes of exposure, mechanisms of
action, toxicokinetics and the role of the immune system will all be
covered. The importance and mutual benefits of in vitro, ex vivo and in
vivo studies will be discussed. Finally, the chapter concludes by
outlining knowledge gaps and research needs.