How Would Smoke Inhalation Affect My Police Officer? Q: In my story, a police officer suffers smoke inhalation while trying to extinguish a barn fire before fire fighters arrive. What injuries would he have that would hospitalize him for a few hours to a day, but wouldn't result in enough long-term damage to end his career as an active police officer? A: The major effect of smoke and soot in the air is irritation of the eyes, throat, and bronchial tubes in the lungs. This w
