KEY POINTS
- Wildfire smoke contains hazardous pollutants that are harmful to human health and ecosystems and can travel over long distances.
- Air quality stationsAir quality stations are systems dedicated to monitoring atmospheric pollution, essential for measuring the concentration of pollutants in a specific area....
Read more allow the monitoring of wildfire pollution and act as early warning systems. - Kunak stations have been recognised by the EPA in the Wildland Fire Sensor Challenge for their accuracy and performance.
Wildfires not only destroy large areas of vegetation and wildlife but also generate emissions that severely affect air quality. These fires release a mixture of atmospheric pollutants such as particulate matterAtmospheric particulate matter are microscopic elements suspended in the air, consisting of solid and liquid substances. They have a wide range of sizes an...
Read more (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that occurs naturally in the atmosphere and plays a crucial role in the life processes of the planet. This gas, also known as...
Read more (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which harm human health and exacerbate climate change.
What is Wildfire Smoke?
Wildfire smoke consists of a series of hazardous pollutants that travel long distances, affecting air quality hundreds or even thousands of kilometres from the fire’s origin. The main emissions include:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): This gas is the main contributor to the greenhouse effect and is the most released during wildfires.
- Carbon monoxide (CO): Highly toxic, it can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
- Fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5): These particles are especially harmful to the lungs. A study published in Nature Communications in 2021 found that fine particles from wildfires are more harmful than those from other sources.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Among the most dangerous are benzene, which can contaminate water resources, and formaldehyde, both known carcinogens.
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx): Together with VOCs, these act as precursors to tropospheric ozoneTropospheric ozone (O3) or ground-level ozone is a gas found in the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, the troposphere, which extends up to 10 kilomet...
Read more, a key component in smogSmog, beyond that dense fog Smog is a mixture of air pollutantsAir pollution is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. The air we breathe contains various harmful substances of a chemical, physical o...
Read more that accumulate in the atmosphere, especially in urban areas. This phenomenon is character...
Read more formation.
As smoke travels and “ages” during atmospheric transport, its toxicity could increase up to four times, amplifying its negative health impacts.
Health Impact of Smoke
Wildfire smoke poses a severe public health threat, affecting various systems in the body, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Exposure to smoke can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues and affect other vital organs.
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Effects on Lungs, Kidneys, Liver, Brain, and Heart
Fine particles (PM2.5) in wildfire smoke can deeply penetrate the lungs, causing inflammation, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Additionally, toxic gases like carbon monoxide (CO) can damage the heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks. The liver and kidneys may also be affected as they filter and process these harmful substances. The brain is also at risk, as prolonged exposure to smoke can reduce cognitive function and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Aggravating Infections
Wildfire smoke is not only dangerous by itself but can also worsen existing infections and increase susceptibility to new ones. The inhaled particles and toxins can weaken the immune system, making the body less capable of fighting off viruses and bacteria. This is especially concerning for people with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis, who may experience more severe episodes of these conditions. Additionally, prolonged exposure to smoke can exacerbate pre-existing infections, increasing the duration and severity of the illness.
Smoke Toxins
Wildfire smoke contains several toxins that pose serious risks to human health. Among them are fine particles (PM2.5 and PM10), which are particularly harmful due to their ability to penetrate deeply into the lungs. Toxic gases like carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde, are also present. These components not only affect respiratory and cardiovascular health but can also have long-term carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The combination of these toxins makes wildfire smoke a serious and multifaceted public health threat.
The impact is not only limited to physical health; smog and visual pollution also deteriorate quality of life and reduce safety on roads and in airports where visibility is drastically decreased.
How Do Wildfires Affect Air Quality?
Wildfires drastically alter the chemical composition of the air, creating zones of severe pollution that can extend over thousands of kilometres. The main impacts of wildfires on air quality are outlined below:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Wildfires emit large amounts of CO2, one of the main greenhouse gases, significantly contributing to global warming. This problem is amplified when fires occur in vegetation-rich areas, as the destruction of trees not only releases CO2 but also reduces the forest’s ability to absorb carbon.
Increase in Tropospheric Ozone
Wildfires release NOx and VOCs, which interact with sunlight to form tropospheric ozone. This type of ozone is highly harmful to health and contributes to smog formation in urban areas, affecting breathing and exacerbating chronic diseases.
Damage to Ecosystems
Wildfires not only destroy vast areas of vegetation and wildlife but can also cause soil erosion, negatively impacting ecosystems’ ability to recover. Additionally, nearby water bodies can become contaminated by ash and debris, affecting both water quality and aquatic habitats.
Recent Wildfire Examples
One of the most impactful events in terms of air pollution occurred in Canada in 2023 when the wildfire season was among the worst on record. These fires, which affected areas from Quebec to British Columbia, released such a large amount of pollutants that they surpassed the total annual emissions of a country like India. The amount of CO2 emitted during these fires was massive, further worsening climate change.
Another devastating example was the Camp Fire in California (2018), considered one of the most destructive wildfires in recent US history. This fire not only claimed the lives of 85 people but also released a significant amount of air pollutants, affecting large regions of the country.
How Can the Impact of Wildfire Smoke Be Monitored?
Environmental monitoring is key to measuring the impact of wildfires on air quality and making informed decisions. Air quality sensors and monitoring stations play a crucial role in this process.
Air Quality Sensors: Essential Tools
Air quality sensors allow real-time measurement of pollutant concentrations, facilitating preventive measures in affected areas. These devices are essential not only for monitoring suspended particles (PM2.5 and PM10) but also for detecting a wide range of harmful gases.
Benefits of Real-Time Monitoring
- Early Alerts: The early detection of smoke can alert local authorities and allow timely evacuation of areas at risk.
- Health Protection: Real-time data help vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions, avoid high-pollution areas.
- Climate Action: Monitoring contributes to the development of mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of wildfires on climate change.
Wildland Fire Sensor Challenge: Recognition of Kunak AIR Stations
In 2017, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) organised the Wildland Fire Sensor Challenge, a competition designed to test the accuracy, linearity, and operability of air quality monitoringControlling air quality is an essential task in order to enjoy optimal environmental conditions for healthy human development and to keep the environment i...
Read more systems against reference equipment measurements. Kunak participated in this event, presenting its Kunak AIR A10 station (the predecessor to the Kunak AIR Pro), which demonstrated outstanding performance in measuring suspended particles (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3).
Phase I took place in one of the EPA’s research centres, inside a stainless steel chamber. During this phase, the sensor systems, without prior calibration, had to demonstrate their performance by measuring target pollutants injected into an air stream. The test was conducted under varying conditions of temperature and relative humidity, thus emulating the distortion that these factors often cause on air quality readings. As an indication of how demanding the challenge was, the sensors were subjected to a full day of testing for each temperature and relative humidity set point.
Image of the devices evaluated in phase I during the Wildland Fire Sensor Challenge
Phase II was conducted at a US Forest Service facility in the Rocky Mountains. On this occasion, direct gas injection was replaced by various forest fuels that were set on fire in intensive tests that lasted 8 days.
Challenge Results
Kunak sensors achieved the best results during the first phase, which focused on testing in a controlled environment. These trials assessed the accuracy of the devices without prior calibration, demonstrating the reliability of Kunak sensors under variable temperature and humidity conditions. Although the second phase couldn’t fully demonstrate performance due to the lack of 2G connectivity in the testing area, Kunak sensors were still able to detect real-time changes in gas concentrations, making them useful tools both for fire detection and air quality monitoring. This efficiency enabled our solution to be used not only as an air quality monitoring device but also as an early fire detection system.
The results earned our solution an Honourable Mention.
Honorable Mention awarded by the US EPA to Kunak
FAQs
How does wildfire smoke affect health?
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and respiratory problems. It also contains toxic gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), which can affect the heart and other organs.
How long do pollutants remain in the environment after a wildfire?
The duration of air pollution after a wildfire can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the size of the fire, weather conditions, and the topography of the affected area. Below, we explore how this time frame is determined and its implications for air quality and public health.
The main pollutants emitted by wildfires—CO, CO2, and PM2.5—can remain in the air for varying lengths of time:
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): This gas can remain in the atmosphere for hours to days before being oxidised to carbon dioxide. However, its concentration can be dangerous in the vicinity of the fire for an extended period.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): While this gas is not toxic at typical concentrations, its accumulation contributes to climate change. It can persist in the atmosphere for decades.
- Fine Particles (PM2.5 and PM10): These particles can stay suspended in the air for days or even weeks, depending on weather conditions. These particles are especially concerning due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and cause health problems.
What factors influence the duration of pollution caused by wildfires?
- Fire Magnitude: Larger and more intense fires release more pollutants into the air. The amount of vegetation burned and the type of organic material (wood, grass, etc.) influences the amount of smoke and pollutants generated. For example, a fire that burns thousands of hectares will produce more smoke and particles than a smaller one.
- Weather Conditions: Weather plays a crucial role in the dispersion and persistence of pollution. Strong winds can help disperse smoke quickly, while a lack of wind can allow smoke to settle in nearby areas, causing prolonged air pollution. Other factors such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure can also affect the duration of pollution. For instance, in high humidity conditions, particles in the air can clump together and remain suspended for longer periods.
- Topography: The geographical features of a region can affect how smoke moves and how pollutants are dispersed. Mountainous areas or valleys can trap smoke, causing pollution to persist for days or even weeks in certain locations.
What impact does wildfire smoke have on the public health?
The air pollution resulting from wildfires not only affects communities near the fire but can also have broader implications:
- Long-Term Exposure: People living in areas affected by smoke may experience long-term health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Studies have shown that exposure to fine particles is linked to increased hospitalisation and mortality rates, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing conditions.
- Air Quality Alerts: Public health agencies often issue air quality alerts during and after wildfires. These alerts warn people about the dangers of smoke exposure and recommend actions to protect health, such as staying indoors, wearing masks, and avoiding outdoor exercise.
What measures can be implemented to mitigate the impact of wildfire smoke?
Conclusion
Air pollution from wildfires is a serious problem that can have long-term effects on public health and the environment. The duration of pollution depends on factors such as fire magnitude, weather conditions, and the topography of the area. Continuous monitoring, effective communication, and emergency plans are essential to mitigating the impact of this pollution on affected communities.
The importance of monitoring technology cannot be underestimated. Air quality sensors, like those offered by Kunak, not only help measure pollution in real-time but also allow the early detection of wildfires. This can be crucial for preventing fire spread and minimising the effects of smoke on air quality.
Protecting air quality and public health is a global challenge that requires collaboration between governments, communities, and industry. In a world where wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, proactive measures are imperative to address this issue.
Sources
- Weise, D., Palarea‐Albaladejo, J., Johnson, T., & Jung, H. (2020). Analyzing wildland fire smoke emissions data using compositional data techniques. Journal Of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 125(6).
https://doi.org/10.1029/2019jd032128 - Kim, Y., Warren, S., Krantz, Q., King, C., Jaskot, R., & Preston, W. et al. (2018). Mutagenicity and lung toxicity of smoldering vs. flaming emissions from various biomass fuels: implications for health effects from wildland fires. Environmental Health Perspectives, 126(1), 017011.
https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2200 - Landis, M., Long, R., Krug, J., Colón, M., Vanderpool, R., Habel, A., & Urbanski, S. (2021). The U.S. EPA wildland fire sensor challenge: Performance and evaluation of solver submitted multi-pollutant sensor systems. Atmospheric Environment, 247, 118165.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2020.118165 - Liu, Y., et al. (2017). Wildfire smoke exposure and respiratory health outcomes: a systematic review. Environmental Research, 157, 65-78.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.06.002 - Kloog, I., et al. (2014). Long-term exposure to PM2.5 and mortality among elderly: a cohort study. Environmental Health, 13, 35.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-13-35 - Zhao, B., et al. (2018). Wildfire smoke exposure and respiratory health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Pollution, 240, 421-429.
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