Environmental Particulate Matter Levels during 2017 Large Forest Fires and Megafires in the Center Region of Portugal: A Public Health Concern?

ABSTRACT: This work characterizes the dimension and the exceptionality of 2017 large- and mega-fires that occurred in the center region of Portugal through the assessment of their impact on the ambient levels of particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5), retrieved from local monitoring stations, and the associated public health risks. PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations were increased during the occurrence of large fires and megafires, with daily concentrations exceeding the European/national guidelines in 7-14 and 1-12 days of 2017 (up to 704 µg/m³ for PM₁₀ and 46 µg/m³ for PM_2.5), respectively. PM₁₀ concentrations were correlated with total burned area (0.500 < r < 0.949; p > 0.05) and with monthly total

SUBMITTER: Oliveira M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7036973 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature