BOSTON, MA – April 12, 2025 – As communities across North America settle into what is now a year long wildfire season, Metalmark, a leading innovator in air filtration technology, reaffirms its commitment to addressing the growing health threat of poor air quality through its pioneering air purification technologies. This Earth Day, Metalmark pledges to intensify its research and development efforts to create solutions for the increasingly urgent indoor air quality crisis.
“Earth Day reminds us that clean air is not something to take for granted,” said Sissi Liu, CEO of Metalmark Innovations. “As wildfire seasons become longer and more severe due to climate change, our mission to develop advanced air purification technologies has never been more critical.”
The Growing Threat of Wildfire Smoke
The 2025 fire season is already showing concerning trends. According to recent data, California alone has experienced 743 wildland fires burning over 60,000 acres by mid-April of this year. The January wildfires in Southern California were particularly devastating, with the Palisades Fire burning over 23,700 acres and the Eaton Fire destroying more than 14,000 acres, forcing over 200,000 people to evacuate their homes and causing billions in economic losses.
Fire seasons in general have grown longer over the past decade, with some regions experiencing nearly year-round fire activity—a trend expected to continue in 2025 with fires starting earlier and extending well into fall. Multiple regions face elevated risk, with the Southern California January fires already surpassing the monthly average by six times, and both the Southwest and portions of the Great Plains expected to see above-normal fire activity.
Critical Health Implications
The health consequences of increased wildfire smoke exposure are significant and wide-ranging. Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that is associated with premature deaths and can cause or worsen diseases affecting the lungs, heart, brain, skin, and other vital organs. Furthermore, it is less known that wildfire smoke particles are vastly smaller than those typically associated with PM2.5 (~1/10 the size), ranging from 0.1-0.3 microns. This matters as particles in this size are capable of penetrating deeply into lungs and entering the bloodstream, causing short- and long-term health problems. Due to the chemical complexity of smoke, the health risks are even higher.
Even in healthy individuals, exposure to super fine particles from wildfire smoke can lead to persistent coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and temporary reductions in lung function. Studies examining continuous short-term exposures suggest cumulative effects over multiple days, with wildland firefighters showing progressive decline in lung function during fire seasons. People with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, older adults, children under 18, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and those of lower socioeconomic status face greater health risks from smoke exposure. Increasingly, research indicates impact on cognitive and mental health, including higher risks of dementia.
Metalmark’s Innovative Approach
Metalmark’s proprietary nanoarchitected material technology, inspired by the intricate structure of butterfly wing scales, significantly improves the filtration of wildfire smoke with a low energy profile.
As part of its Earth Day commitment, Metalmark announces three initiatives:
- Enhanced Research Program: Accelerating development of next-generation air purification technologies specifically targeting wildfire smoke components
- Community Support Initiative: Launching partnerships with schools and community centers in high-risk regions to improve indoor air quality where it’s needed most
- Educational Campaign: Creating resources to help the public understand air quality data and take protective measures during smoke events
“Wildfires are too often seen as local disasters. While there’s growing support for fire prevention and building hardening, the invisible threat of smoke traveling hundreds or even thousands of miles is still widely underestimated,” said Liu. “At Metalmark, we believe clean air is a fundamental right—not a privilege. This Earth Day, we’re doubling down on our commitment to making that right a reality for all.”
About Metalmark
Metalmark is addressing growing global air quality problems as well as climate adaptation and mitigation challenges by manufacturing products that make a difference. First inspired by nanostructures present in the wings of the metalmark butterfly, the company creates sustainable products from the nanoscale up. For more information, visit https://metalmark.xyz
Press Contact:
Stacia Kirby, 206-478-5841
stacia@kirbycomm.com
