Smoke from forest fires will reduce the air quality to a level harmful to health.

Smoke from forest fires will reduce the air quality to a level harmful to health.

The researchers analyzed the long-term effects of wildfire smoke on air quality in the United States.

The smoke column of the forest fire was blown into the air and even spread thousands of kilometers within a few days after the fire was put out. The fine particles and harmful ozone contained in these plumes often have destructive effects on the air quality of American cities and the health of residents. That's what Alexandra Larsen of North Carolina State University said. He led a long-term study on the impact of wildfire smoke on air quality in the United States.

Since the 1970s, large-scale mountain fires in the United States have spread to more than 6,543.8+0,000 acres (about 4,000 hectares), an increase of five times. This is worrying because particles and gases associated with wildfire smoke often cause people to be hospitalized for respiratory and heart-related problems.

In order to measure the impact of wildfires on air quality, Larsen and her colleagues analyzed different data sources collected from 2006 to 20 13. These data include the Hazard Mapping System (HMS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which collects daily satellite information, including the existence and spread of smoke.

In addition, the researchers also mentioned the Environmental Protection Agency's air quality system, which monitors air pollution levels in different parts of the United States, as well as ozone and fine particles levels on a certain day. Fine particles and ozone are related to a series of health problems.

Larsen and her colleagues found that when the plume was found, the ozone concentration was higher 1 1. 1% than that in sunny days. As expected, these days, the level of fine particles is also significantly higher than the normal level (33. 1%).

For Larsen, an amazing discovery is that the existence of wildfire smoke also has a chain effect, and ozone has a greater impact. Although feathers only appear in 6- 7% days, due to the influence of ozone, these feathers account for 16% in unhealthy days, while in unhealthy days, the proportion is 27%.

Larson said: "With the increase of air quality index, the number of plume days is disproportionate, which shows that a moderate increase in regional air pollution caused by fire and long-distance smoke will reduce air quality to an unhealthy level."

Pollutants in wildfire smoke have a greater impact on Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana and Kansas. Wind-blown plumes have increased the ozone concentration over these cities.

Larson explained: "The increase of ozone in urban areas is a worrying issue, because the population size has a potential impact, and the level of air pollution may rise due to local and mobile sources."

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