Toxic smoke from palm oil fires is creating a new class of climate refugees in Southeast Asia

The thick haze is caused by fires set to clear land for palm oil plantations and other uses. At least 19 people have died from effects of the smoke, and half a million are suffering from respiratory problems. Louis Verchot, a scientist with the Center for International Forestry Research, believes the actual number of the affected is much higher. During a workshop in mid-October he and others found many harmful gases in the air in Central Kalimantan on Borneo, including ozone, carbon monoxide, cyanide, ammonia, formaldehyde, nitric oxide, and methane.