How Wildfire Smoke Affects Kids - and How to Protect Them

Wildfire Season Is Here. What Does That Mean for Our Kids?

Every summer, wildfire smoke settles over neighborhoods, parks, and playgrounds. And while most of us check the AQI and close the windows, few realize just how dangerous this smoke is—especially for children.

Kids aren’t just smaller adults. Their lungs are still developing. They breathe more air per pound of body weight than we do. And their detox systems aren’t yet fully equipped to handle the toxic load that comes with repeated exposure.

What’s Really in Wildfire Smoke?

Wildfire smoke isn't just ash and haze. It contains:

  • Mercury

  • Arsenic

  • Lead

  • Aluminum

  • Cadmium

  • Benzene

  • Formaldehyde

  • Dioxins

  • PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)

These substances come from burning not just trees, but buildings, plastics, treated wood, electronics, pesticides, and industrial waste.

When these materials burn, their chemical structures change. Many toxins become smaller, more reactive particles—or bind to fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. These are so tiny they bypass the body's natural defenses.

When kids breathe them in, these particles travel deep into the lungs and quickly enter the bloodstream, delivering heavy metals and carcinogens directly to the organs.

Why Kids Are More Vulnerable

  • Higher exposure: Kids breathe faster and take in more air relative to their size

  • Immature detox systems: Their liver and kidneys aren’t fully developed yet

  • Sensitive organs: Toxins can affect the brain, lungs, and immune system more severely

  • Cumulative damage: Toxins like mercury and lead build up over time and interfere with development

What Happens in the Body

  • Lungs: Smoke causes inflammation, restricts airflow, and increases asthma and bronchial reactivity

  • Brain and nervous system: Metals like lead and mercury interfere with focus, sleep, mood, and behavior

  • Liver and kidneys: These are the primary detox organs - but in children, they’re still maturing

  • Gut: Smoke disrupts the gut microbiome, which is essential for immunity and digestion

  • Bloodstream: Toxins circulate quickly and can cross the blood-brain barrier

The toxic load results in a burdened system, greater vulnerability to illness, and long-term impacts if the body can’t clear the load.

So What Can Parents Do?

While we can’t eliminate the smoke, but we can help our child’s body manage the exposure in real time:

Step 1: Reduce what you can control

  • Monitor AQI and limit outdoor time on smoky days

  • Use HEPA filters at home and in the car

  • Avoid synthetic fragrances and chemical cleaners (they add to the load)

Step 2: Support the body’s detox and repair systems
Certain nutrients help the body bind, process, and eliminate the specific toxins found in smoke before they accumulate in tissues.

Key Ingredients That Help Kids Detox Wildfire Toxins

  • Chlorella: Binds to mercury, lead, and other metals for safe elimination

  • Milk Thistle: Protects liver cells from oxidative damage

  • Dandelion and Artichoke: Stimulate gentle liver and kidney drainage

  • NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine): Boosts glutathione—the body’s master antioxidant

  • Reishi and Cordyceps Mushrooms: Support lung function and immune resilience

  • Vitamin A: Strengthens respiratory mucous membranes and immune defense

  • Silica: Binds aluminum and supports tissue strength

  • Zinc and Vitamin C: Help modulate inflammation and oxidative stress

This Is Why We Created Little Boosties

In 2022, after weeks of wildfire smoke and no real solutions for helping kids process what they were breathing in, we started developing Little Boosties. There were no protective supplements made specifically for children, despite the clear risks of toxins like mercury, lead, arsenic, and PM2.5 in the air. So we created Supershield and Superfood Boosties—two gummies formulated with ingredients like chlorella, NAC, reishi, silica, milk thistle, and vitamin A to support the lungs, liver, immune system, and gut. When taken together, they provide the full range of protective nutrients children need to help manage and eliminate toxins during wildfire season and beyond.

 

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