1
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Maji KJ, Ford B, Li Z, Hu Y, Hu L, Langer CE, Hawkinson C, Paladugu S, Moraga-McHaley S, Woods B, Vansickle M, Uejio CK, Maichak C, Sablan O, Magzamen S, Pierce JR, Russell AG. Impact of the 2022 New Mexico, US wildfires on air quality and health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174197. [PMID: 38914336 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The 2022 wildfires in New Mexico, United States, were unparalleled compared to past wildfires in the state in both their scale and intensity, resulting in poor air quality and a catastrophic loss of habitat and livelihood. Among all wildfires in New Mexico in 2022, six wildfires were selected for our study based on the size of the burn area and their proximity to populated areas. These fires accounted for approximately 90 % of the total burn area in New Mexico in 2022. We used a regional chemical transport model and data-fusion technique to quantify the contribution of these six wildfires (April 6 to August 22) on particulate matter (PM2.5: diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) and ozone (O3) concentrations, as well as the associated health impacts from short-term exposure. We estimated that these six wildfires emitted 152 thousand tons of PM2.5 and 287 thousand tons of volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere. We estimated that the average daily wildfire smoke PM2.5 across New Mexico was 0.3 μg/m3, though 1 h maximum exceeded 120 μg/m3 near Santa Fe. Average wildfire smoke maximum daily average 8-h O3 (MDA8-O3) contribution was 0.2 ppb during the study period over New Mexico. However, over the state 1 h maximum smoke O3 exceeded 60 ppb in some locations near Santa Fe. Estimated all-cause excess mortality attributable to short term exposure to wildfire PM2.5 and MDA8-O3 from these six wildfires were 18 (95 % Confidence Interval (CI), 15-21) and 4 (95 % CI: 3-6) deaths. Additionally, we estimate that wildfire PM2.5 was responsible for 171 (95 %: 124-217) excess cases of asthma emergency department visits. Our findings underscore the impact of wildfires on air quality and human health risks, which are anticipated to intensify with global warming, even as local anthropogenic emissions decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal J Maji
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bonne Ford
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Zongrun Li
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yongtao Hu
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Leiqiu Hu
- Department of Atmospheric and Earth Science, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, USA
| | - Chelsea Eastman Langer
- New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking, Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau, Epidemiology and Response Division, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - Colin Hawkinson
- New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking, Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau, Epidemiology and Response Division, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - Srikanth Paladugu
- New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking, Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau, Epidemiology and Response Division, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - Stephanie Moraga-McHaley
- New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking, Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau, Epidemiology and Response Division, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - Brian Woods
- New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking, Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau, Epidemiology and Response Division, New Mexico Department of Health, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - Melissa Vansickle
- Department of Geography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | - Courtney Maichak
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Olivia Sablan
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Sheryl Magzamen
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Pierce
- Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Armistead G Russell
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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2
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Dunne B, Cochrane A, Fletcher D. Cutting carbon out of surgical care delivery. ANZ J Surg 2024; 94:984-985. [PMID: 38887980 DOI: 10.1111/ans.19006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ben Dunne
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Cochrane
- Department of Surgery, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Fletcher
- Department of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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3
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Chowdhury S, Hänninen R, Sofiev M, Aunan K. Fires as a source of annual ambient PM 2.5 exposure and chronic health impacts in Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171314. [PMID: 38423313 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to ambient PM2.5 is the largest environmental health risk in Europe. We used a chemical transport model and recent exposure response functions to simulate ambient PM2.5, contribution from fires and related health impacts over Europe from 1990 to 2019. Our estimation indicates that the excess death burden from exposure to ambient PM2.5 declined across Europe at a rate of 10,000 deaths per year, from 0.57 million (95 % confidence intervals: 0.44-0.75 million) in 1990 to 0.28 million (0.19-0.42 million) in the specified period. Among these excess deaths, approximately 99 % were among adults, while only around 1 % occurred among children. Our findings reveal a steady increase in fire mortality fractions (excess deaths from fires per 1000 deaths from ambient PM2.5) from 2 in 1990 to 13 in 2019. Notably, countries in Eastern Europe exhibited significantly higher fire mortality fractions and experienced more pronounced increases compared to those in Western and Central Europe. We performed sensitivity analyses by considering fire PM2.5 to be more toxic as compared to other sources, as indicated by recent studies. By considering fire PM2.5 to be more toxic than other PM2.5 sources results in an increased relative contribution of fires to excess deaths, reaching 2.5-13 % in 2019. Our results indicate the requirement of larger mitigation and adaptation efforts and more sustainable forest management policies to avert the rising health burden from fires.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kristin Aunan
- CICERO Center for International Climate Research, Oslo, Norway
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4
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Gill RL, Fleck R, Chau K, Westerhausen MT, Lockwood TE, Violi JP, Irga PJ, Doblin MA, Torpy FR. Fine particle pollution during megafires contains potentially toxic elements. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123306. [PMID: 38185362 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Wildfires that raged across Australia during the 2019-2020 'Black Summer' produced an enormous quantity of particulate matter (PM) pollution, with plumes that cloaked many urban centres and ecosystems along the eastern seaboard. This has motivated a need to understand the magnitude and nature of PM exposure, so that its impact on both built and natural environments can be more accurately assessed. Here we present the potentially toxic fingerprint of PM captured by building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning filters in Sydney, Australia during the peak of the Wildfires, and from ambient urban emissions one year later (Reference period). Atmospheric PM and meteorological monitoring data were also assessed to determine the magnitude and source of high PM exposure. The wildfires were a major source of PM pollution in Sydney, exceeding the national standards on 19 % of days between November-February. Wildfire particles were finer and more spherical compared to Reference PM, with count median diameters of 892.1 ± 23.1 versus 1484.8 ± 96.7 nm (mean ± standard error). On an equal-mass basis, differences in potentially toxic elements were predominantly due to higher SO42--S (median 20.4 vs 4.7 mg g-1) and NO3--N (2.4 vs 1.2 mg g-1) in Wildfire PM, and higher PO43--P (10.4 vs 1.4 mg g-1) in Reference PM. Concentrations of remaining elements were similar or lower than Reference PM, except for enrichments to F-, Cl-, dissolved Mn, and particulate Mn, Co and Sb. Fractional solubilities of trace elements were similar or lower than Reference PM, except for enhanced Hg (12.1 vs 1.0 %) and greater variability in Cd, Hg and Mn solubility, which displayed upper quartiles exceeding that of Reference PM. These findings contribute to our understanding of human and ecosystem exposures to the toxic components of mixed smoke plumes, especially in regions downwind of the source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raissa L Gill
- Productive Coasts, Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia; Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Robert Fleck
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Ky Chau
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Mika T Westerhausen
- Hyphenated Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Thomas E Lockwood
- Hyphenated Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Jake P Violi
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Peter J Irga
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Martina A Doblin
- Productive Coasts, Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
| | - Fraser R Torpy
- Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
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5
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Tefera Y, Soebarto V, Bishop C, Kandulu J, Williams C. A Scoping Review of Urban Planning Decision Support Tools and Processes That Account for the Health, Environment, and Economic Benefits of Trees and Greenspace. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 21:48. [PMID: 38248513 PMCID: PMC10815116 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Compelling evidence shows that trees and greenspaces positively impact human well-being and the environment and offer economic benefits. Nevertheless, there exists a knowledge gap regarding the extent to which this evidence is efficiently incorporated into existing urban planning decision-making processes. This scoping review identified the extent to which urban planning decision-making frameworks, models, and tools consider the health, environmental, and economic benefits of trees and greenspace. Out of 28 reviewed studies, 11 (39%) reported on frameworks, models, and tools that take into account the health, environmental, and economic dimensions of trees and greenspace. Additionally, seven studies provided comprehensive coverage of at least one of the three key dimensions. However, none of the decision support frameworks, models, or tools comprehensively integrated all three dimensions, with only two tools (7%) scoring above 50% (five or more out of nine) in terms of comprehensiveness. This review highlights the urgent need to incorporate the true economic and monetary values of the health and environmental benefits of trees and greenspace to inform urban development decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonatal Tefera
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (C.B.); (C.W.)
- Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Veronica Soebarto
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Courtney Bishop
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (C.B.); (C.W.)
| | - John Kandulu
- School of Economics and Public Policy, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
| | - Carmel Williams
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; (C.B.); (C.W.)
- Centre for Health in All Policies Research Translation, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
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6
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Lee GW, Vine K, Atkinson AR, Tong M, Longman J, Barratt A, Bailie R, Vardoulakis S, Matthews V, Rahman KM. Impacts of Climate Change on Health and Health Services in Northern New South Wales, Australia: A Rapid Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6285. [PMID: 37444133 PMCID: PMC10341403 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20136285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is exposing populations to increasing temperatures and extreme weather events in many parts of Australia. To prepare for climate challenges, there is a growing need for Local Health Districts (LHDs) to identify potential health impacts in their region and strengthen the capacity of the health system to respond accordingly. This rapid review summarised existing evidence and research gaps on the impact of climate change on health and health services in Northern New South Wales (NSW)-a 'hotspot' for climate disaster declarations. We systematically searched online databases and selected 11 peer-reviewed studies published between 2012-2022 for the Northern NSW region. The most explored health outcome was mental health in the aftermath of floods and droughts, followed by increased healthcare utilisation due to respiratory, cardiovascular and mortality outcomes associated with bushfire smoke or heat waves. Future research directions were recommended to understand: the compounding impacts of extreme events on health and the health system, local data needs that can better inform models that predict future health risks and healthcare utilisation for the region, and the needs of vulnerable populations that require a whole-of-system response during the different phases of disasters. In conclusion, the review provided climate change and health research directions the LHD may undertake to inform future adaptation and mitigation policies and strategies relevant to their region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace W. Lee
- University of Sydney, University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia; (G.W.L.); (K.V.); (A.-R.A.); (J.L.); (V.M.)
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia;
| | - Kristina Vine
- University of Sydney, University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia; (G.W.L.); (K.V.); (A.-R.A.); (J.L.); (V.M.)
- Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (M.T.); (R.B.); (S.V.)
| | - Amba-Rose Atkinson
- University of Sydney, University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia; (G.W.L.); (K.V.); (A.-R.A.); (J.L.); (V.M.)
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Michael Tong
- Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (M.T.); (R.B.); (S.V.)
- College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Jo Longman
- University of Sydney, University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia; (G.W.L.); (K.V.); (A.-R.A.); (J.L.); (V.M.)
- Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (M.T.); (R.B.); (S.V.)
- Sydney Environment Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alexandra Barratt
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia;
- Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (M.T.); (R.B.); (S.V.)
| | - Ross Bailie
- Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (M.T.); (R.B.); (S.V.)
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Sotiris Vardoulakis
- Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (M.T.); (R.B.); (S.V.)
- College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Veronica Matthews
- University of Sydney, University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia; (G.W.L.); (K.V.); (A.-R.A.); (J.L.); (V.M.)
- Healthy Environments And Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; (M.T.); (R.B.); (S.V.)
| | - Kazi Mizanur Rahman
- University of Sydney, University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia; (G.W.L.); (K.V.); (A.-R.A.); (J.L.); (V.M.)
- Sydney Environment Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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7
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Barnes PW, Robson TM, Zepp RG, Bornman JF, Jansen MAK, Ossola R, Wang QW, Robinson SA, Foereid B, Klekociuk AR, Martinez-Abaigar J, Hou WC, Mackenzie R, Paul ND. Interactive effects of changes in UV radiation and climate on terrestrial ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, and feedbacks to the climate system. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2023; 22:1049-1091. [PMID: 36723799 PMCID: PMC9889965 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00376-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial organisms and ecosystems are being exposed to new and rapidly changing combinations of solar UV radiation and other environmental factors because of ongoing changes in stratospheric ozone and climate. In this Quadrennial Assessment, we examine the interactive effects of changes in stratospheric ozone, UV radiation and climate on terrestrial ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles in the context of the Montreal Protocol. We specifically assess effects on terrestrial organisms, agriculture and food supply, biodiversity, ecosystem services and feedbacks to the climate system. Emphasis is placed on the role of extreme climate events in altering the exposure to UV radiation of organisms and ecosystems and the potential effects on biodiversity. We also address the responses of plants to increased temporal variability in solar UV radiation, the interactive effects of UV radiation and other climate change factors (e.g. drought, temperature) on crops, and the role of UV radiation in driving the breakdown of organic matter from dead plant material (i.e. litter) and biocides (pesticides and herbicides). Our assessment indicates that UV radiation and climate interact in various ways to affect the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems, and that by protecting the ozone layer, the Montreal Protocol continues to play a vital role in maintaining healthy, diverse ecosystems on land that sustain life on Earth. Furthermore, the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment are mitigating some of the negative environmental consequences of climate change by limiting the emissions of greenhouse gases and protecting the carbon sequestration potential of vegetation and the terrestrial carbon pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- P W Barnes
- Biological Sciences and Environment Program, Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, USA.
| | - T M Robson
- Organismal & Evolutionary Biology (OEB), Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Viikki Plant Sciences Centre (ViPS), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- National School of Forestry, University of Cumbria, Ambleside, UK.
| | - R G Zepp
- ORD/CEMM, US Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA, USA
| | - J F Bornman
- Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | | | - R Ossola
- Atmospheric Chemistry Observations and Modeling Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, USA
| | - Q-W Wang
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Shenyang, China
| | - S A Robinson
- Global Challenges Program & School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - B Foereid
- Environment and Natural Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Norway
| | - A R Klekociuk
- Antarctic Climate Program, Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, Australia
| | - J Martinez-Abaigar
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of La Rioja, Logroño (La Rioja), Spain
| | - W-C Hou
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - R Mackenzie
- Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile
| | - N D Paul
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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8
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Rickly PS, Coggon MM, Aikin KC, Alvarez RJ, Baidar S, Gilman JB, Gkatzelis GI, Harkins C, He J, Lamplugh A, Langford AO, McDonald BC, Peischl J, Robinson MA, Rollins AW, Schwantes RH, Senff CJ, Warneke C, Brown SS. Influence of Wildfire on Urban Ozone: An Observationally Constrained Box Modeling Study at a Site in the Colorado Front Range. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1257-1267. [PMID: 36607321 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Increasing trends in biomass burning emissions significantly impact air quality in North America. Enhanced mixing ratios of ozone (O3) in urban areas during smoke-impacted periods occur through transport of O3 produced within the smoke or through mixing of pyrogenic volatile organic compounds (PVOCs) with urban nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) to enhance local O3 production. Here, we analyze a set of detailed chemical measurements, including carbon monoxide (CO), NOx, and speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to evaluate the effects of smoke transported from relatively local and long-range fires on O3 measured at a site in Boulder, Colorado, during summer 2020. Relative to the smoke-free period, CO, background O3, OH reactivity, and total VOCs increased during both the local and long-range smoke periods, but NOx mixing ratios remained approximately constant. These observations are consistent with transport of PVOCs (comprised primarily of oxygenates) but not NOx with the smoke and with the influence of O3 produced within the smoke upwind of the urban area. Box-model calculations show that local O3 production during all three periods was in the NOx-sensitive regime. Consequently, this locally produced O3 was similar in all three periods and was relatively insensitive to the increase in PVOCs. However, calculated NOx sensitivities show that PVOCs substantially increase O3 production in the transition and NOx-saturated (VOC-sensitive) regimes. These results suggest that (1) O3 produced during smoke transport is the main driver for O3 increases in NOx-sensitive urban areas and (2) smoke may cause an additional increase in local O3 production in NOx-saturated (VOC-sensitive) urban areas. Additional detailed VOC and NOx measurements in smoke impacted urban areas are necessary to broadly quantify the effects of wildfire smoke on urban O3 and develop effective mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela S Rickly
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Matthew M Coggon
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Kenneth C Aikin
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Raul J Alvarez
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Sunil Baidar
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Jessica B Gilman
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | | | - Colin Harkins
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Jian He
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Aaron Lamplugh
- Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
| | - Andrew O Langford
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Brian C McDonald
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Jeff Peischl
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Michael A Robinson
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Andrew W Rollins
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | | | - Christoph J Senff
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Carsten Warneke
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
| | - Steven S Brown
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado80305, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado80309, United States
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9
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do Nascimento CM, de Oliveira SA, Santana OA, Carvalho H. Changes in air pollution due to COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020: Limited effect on NO 2, PM 2.5, and PM 10 annual means compared to the new WHO Air Quality Guidelines. J Glob Health 2022; 12:05043. [PMID: 36403165 PMCID: PMC9677514 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.12.05043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lockdowns have been fundamental to decreasing disease transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic even after vaccines were available. We aimed to evaluate and compare changes in air quality during the first year of the pandemic in different cities around the world, investigate how these changes correlate with changes in mobility, and analyse how lockdowns affected air pollutants' annual means. Methods We compared the concentrations of NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 in 42 cities around the world in the first months of the pandemic in 2020 to data from 2016-2019 and correlated them with changes in mobility using Human Development Indexes (HDIs). Cities with the highest decreases in air pollutants during this period were evaluated for the whole year 2020. We calculated the annual means for these cities and compared them to the new World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines. A Student's t-test (95% confidence interval) was used to evaluate significant changes. Results Highest decreases in NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 were between -50 and -70%. Cities evaluated for the whole year 2020 generally showed a recovery in air pollution levels after the initial months of the pandemic, except for London. These changes positively correlated with year-long mobility indexes for NO2 and PM2.5 for some cities. The highest reductions in air pollutants' annual means were from -20 to -35%. In general, decreases were higher for NO2, compared to PM2.5 and PM10. All analysed cities showed annual means incompliant with the new WHO Air Quality Guidelines for NO2 of 10 μg/m3, with values 1.7 and 4.3 times higher. For PM2.5, all cities showed values 1.3 to 7.6 times higher than the WHO Guidelines of 5 μg/m3, except for New Delhi, with a value 18 times higher. For PM10, only New York complied with the new guidelines of 15 μg/m3 and all the other cities were 1.1 to 4.2 times higher, except for New Delhi, which was 11 times higher. Conclusions These data show that even during a pandemic that highly affected mobility and economic activities and decreased air pollution around the world, complying with the new WHO Guidelines will demand a global strategical effort in the way we generate energy, move in and around the cities, and manufacture products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleonilde Maria do Nascimento
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Biological Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil,Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Sheilla Andrade de Oliveira
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Otacílio Antunes Santana
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Biological Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Helotonio Carvalho
- Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Biological Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil,Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute (IAM), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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Islam MS, Fang T, Oldfield C, Larpruenrudee P, Beni HM, Rahman MM, Husain S, Gu Y. Heat Wave and Bushfire Meteorology in New South Wales, Australia: Air Quality and Health Impacts. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10388. [PMID: 36012020 PMCID: PMC9407765 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The depletion of air quality is a major problem that is faced around the globe. In Australia, the pollutants emitted by bushfires play an important role in making the air polluted. These pollutants in the air result in many adverse impacts on the environment. This paper analysed the air pollution from the bushfires from November 2019 to July 2020 and identified how it affects the human respiratory system. The bush fires burnt over 13 million hectares, destroying over 2400 buildings. While these immediate effects were devastating, the long-term effects were just as devastating, with air pollution causing thousands of people to be admitted to hospitals and emergency departments because of respiratory complications. The pollutant that caused most of the health effects throughout Australia was Particulate Matter (PM) PM2.5 and PM10. Data collection and analysis were covered in this paper to illustrate where and when PM2.5 and PM10, and other pollutants were at their most concerning levels. Susceptible areas were identified by analysing environmental factors such as temperature and wind speed. The study identified how these pollutants in the air vary from region to region in the same time interval. This study also focused on how these pollutant distributions vary according to the temperature, which helps to determine the relationship between the heatwave and air quality. A computational model for PM2.5 aerosol transport to the realistic airways was also developed to understand the bushfire exhaust aerosol transport and deposition in airways. This study would improve the knowledge of the heat wave and bushfire meteorology and corresponding respiratory health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S. Islam
- School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Tianxin Fang
- School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Callum Oldfield
- School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Puchanee Larpruenrudee
- School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Hamidreza Mortazavy Beni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan 6134937333, Iran
| | - Md. M. Rahman
- School of Computing, Engineering, and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Shahid Husain
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Zakir Husain College of Engineering & Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202001, India
| | - Yuantong Gu
- School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
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