A severe weather event can release substances or particles into the environment and the atmosphere, impairing a population's respiration and food causing major harm to the health of a community. An example of this can be seen when a large fire occurs. The smoke released can be toxic and spread throughout the city preventing the population from breathing in clean, quality air, and the ashes and other particles will also be scattered causing serious problems. Both smoke and particulate matter can cause bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma and other major respiratory problems in the community.
Last but not least, smoke and particulate matter can cause environmental pollution, lowering the quality of natural resources and preventing the population from eating properly, generating nutrition-related health problems for the entire population.