How Do Brazilian Fires Affect Air Pollution and Public Health?
Miriam E. Marlier, E X Bonilla, Loretta J. Mickley
Abstract
Abstract Fires burning across the Amazon in the summer of 2019 attracted global attention for the widespread destruction of natural ecosystems and regional smoke production. Using a combination of satellite fire observations and atmospheric modeling, Nawaz and Henze (2020, https://doi.org.10.1029/2020GH000268 ) provide new evidence for the widespread regional public health consequences attributed to these fires. They find that approximately 10% of premature deaths in Brazil due to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) are attributable to smoke pollution and highlight how fire locations play a critical role in determining downwind health impacts.
Topics & Concepts
SmokeParticulatesAir pollutionEnvironmental scienceAmazon rainforestPollutionPublic healthAir quality indexEnvironmental protectionGeographyMeteorologyEcologyMedicineBiologyNursingAir Quality and Health ImpactsAtmospheric chemistry and aerosolsEnergy and Environment Impacts