Wildfires Increase Concentrations of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Downwind Communities.

ABSTRACT: Due in part to climate change, wildfire activity is increasing, with the potential for greater public health impact from smoke in downwind communities. Studies examining the health effects of wildfire smoke have focused primarily on fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), but there is a need to better characterize other constituents, such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). HAPs are chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects that are regulated by the United States (US) Environmental Protection Agency. Here, we analyzed concentrations of 21 HAPs in wildfire smoke from 2006 to 2020 at 309 monitors across the western US. Additionally, we examined HAP concentrations measured in a major population center (San Jose, CA) affected by multiple fires from 2017 t

SUBMITTER: Rice RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10862657 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature