At the same time the smoke particles also contain carcinogens polyaromatic hydrocarbons which also oxidise and become more carcinogenic, increasing the risk of cancers. This increase in toxicity is a particular concern as smoke from large wildfires is known to travel across whole continents and even oceans
"Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Announces Hollywood Bowl 2009 Summer Season"
The authors note in their conclusions that for the small number of studies, particularly for outcomes #2 and #3 above, the findings are imprecise, reducing the certainty of those effects
In the United States, federal laws prohibit their use in public places accessible to minors
As for COVID, the CDC says that well-fitting disposable surgical masks are only the second-best mask to protect yourself from the virus, along with KN95s behind N95 masks
Draw slowly the smoke first passes the acetate fibres, then the carbon