As of October 19, 2021, 17 wildfires are burning in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Only two of these are contained, and all 17 have collectively burned more than 2.2 million acres (roughly 3,400 square miles). So far this year, more than 47,000 fires have burned about 6.5 million acres (just over 10,000 square miles) in the U.S. (1)
The annual prevalence of wildfires often leads to a broader conversation about monitoring outdoor air quality in general, including concerns about smoke, smog, ozone, carbon monoxide, and other air pollutants that affect negatively the health of living beings. (1, 2)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors and regulates both ambient air pollution and stationary sources of pollution in the US However, there is also a lot you can do to help improve air quality. Taking even a few of the suggested steps can improve the air quality in your home and the environment over time, which can lead to better overall health for you and your family.
Air pollutants
The following are the main contributors to air pollution and constitute serious threats to human health:
- Forest fire smoke. Wildfire smoke contains thousands of chemicals that can cause severe breathing problems, chest pain, and a rapid heart rate. Children, the elderly, first responders and pregnant women are at particular risk of serious consequences from inhalation. Compounding the risk is the fact that wildfire smoke ages, which means the sun acts on it and other chemicals in the air as it travels, increasing its toxicity. Large particles like ash do not usually travel far from fire, but smaller aerosolized particles can travel across continents. These smaller particles, which are less than 2.5 microns in diameter (50 times smaller than a grain of rice), are collectively called particulate matter. They are small enough to bypass the body’s natural defenses, enter the lungs, and cause breathing problems such as lung inflammation. (3. 4)
- Smog. Smog, which includes many chemicals, is air pollution that reduces visibility. The term comes from the Industrial Revolution when smoke from burning coal mixed with fog relatively close to the ground and created a yellowish-brown haze. There are two types of smog: normal and photochemical. Normal smog results from burning high-sulfur coal, while photochemical smog forms when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere. (5, 6) VOCs are compounds that have high vapor pressure and low solubility in water. Many VOCs are man-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants. (7)
Both wildfire smoke and smog can contain any combination of the following six:
- Carbon monoxide (CO). CO is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poisonous gas that is deadly in high concentrations. CO is released from burning materials that contain carbon, such as gasoline, propane, and natural gas. By displacing oxygen in the blood, CO deprives vital organs of oxygen. Exposure to large amounts or high concentrations of CO can kill within minutes. Even if a person with CO poisoning is rescued and survives, they may suffer permanent heart and neurological damage. Age and general health also influence a survivor’s prognosis. (8, 9)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx). A mixture of gases containing nitrogen and oxygen, nitrogen oxides are released into the air primarily from the exhaust gases of motor vehicles, as well as from the burning of coal and natural gas. Nitrogen oxides are used in the production of rocket fuel and explosives, among other things. (10)
- Ground level ozone (O3). Ground-level or ground-level ozone is formed when pollutants from motor vehicles, oil refineries, power plants, and chemical plants react with sunlight. Ground-level ozone contains NOx and VOCs. (11, 12)
- Particulate matter (PM). PM refers to solid and liquid particles in the air, some of which can be seen with the naked eye. Others can only be detected with an electron microscope. Some come directly from certain sources, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, or fires, but most are the result of complex chemical reactions of pollutants from power plants, industrials, and automobiles. (13)
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2). Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas with a pungent rotten egg odor. In nature, it is released into the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions. It also enters the atmosphere through burning coal and oil and smelting copper. (14)
- Lead (Pb). Lead, a blue-gray metal found in all parts of the environment, comes from the burning of fossil fuels, the manufacturing, the production of batteries, and the devices that protect people from X-rays. has been drastically reduced due to health concerns, lead is still present in the air and therefore remains a hazard. (fifteen)
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? The negative health effects of air pollutants
There are many other harmful chemicals in the air, but the above six are the ones the EPA monitors most closely because they are the most widespread in the U.S. Exposure to these chemicals can cause a number of serious health problems for anyone. . However, numerous studies in children, pregnant women and the elderly show that these groups are the most susceptible to diseases induced by air pollution. For example (16, 17):
– In children:
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Respiratory infections
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Asthma
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Bronchitis
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Lung damage
-? In pregnant women:
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Altered fetal brain size, leading to cognitive deficits such as ADHD and autism
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High blood pressure
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Low fetal weight at birth
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Premature delivery
? – In old age:
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Increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
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Worsening of physical disabilities
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How EPA Monitors Outdoor Air Quality
EPA monitors air quality in two ways: monitoring ambient air quality and monitoring emissions from stationary sources. Both monitor air quality in accordance with the stipulations established by the Clean Air Act (CAA) of 1970, which authorized state and federal regulations to limit pollution from mobile and stationary sources. Around the same time, the EPA was established to implement these regulations. In 1990, President George HW Bush signed amendments to the CAA into law. These reviews included expanded air pollution investigation programs and increased authority to enforce the CAA. (18, 19)
Ambient air quality monitoring
Ambient air quality monitoring collects and measures samples of the following ambient air pollutants to assess the state of the atmosphere: CO, nitrogen oxides (NO2 and NO3), O3, lead (Pb), PM (both particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 micrometers) [PM-10] and those aerodynamic diameters below 2.5 micrometers [PM-2.5]), SO2 and COV. (twenty)
Monitoring of emissions from stationary sources
Monitoring stationary facilities and manufacturing plants involves the collection of emissions data to demonstrate compliance with certain regulatory requirements. The facility operator also uses this data to take corrective action if necessary. There are three types of stationary source emission monitoring systems (20):
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Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) – Continuously measures a pollutant of concern, such as CO or NOx.
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Continuous Opacity Monitoring System (COMS): measures the amount of sunlight that particulate matter blocks in outgoing emissions. For example, if all light is blocked, the substance that blocks the light is said to have 100% opacity. Continuous Parametric Monitoring System (CPMS): measures a given parameter that is a key indicator of system performance. For example, a CPMS could monitor temperature, pressure, or flow. If necessary, the CPMS can measure several parameters at the same time.
EPA Programs
EPA has many programs that monitor ambient air quality and monitor emissions from stationary sources. One of them is the PAMS network. PAMS stands for “photochemical assessment monitoring station” and there are 45 across the country. This network was started in the 1990s to meet CAA standards, and its main objectives are (21):
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Develop a database of pollutants that create ozone at ground level, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.
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To track ozone pollutant concentrations. Every hour, each PAMS site measures things like VOCs and NOx (ozone precursors), ambient temperature, humidity, precipitation, and ultraviolet radiation. (twenty-one)
Another program is the National Air Toxics Trends Station (NATTS) network, developed to meet the need for consistent long-term monitoring data. The NATTS network assesses the trends and effectiveness of the emission reduction program, among other things. Initiated in 2003, the current NATTS network configuration includes 26 sites (21 urban and five rural) in the United States. Typically, EPA monitors more than 100 contaminants in each NATTS, although only 19 of them are formally required. Target pollutants include VOCs, carbonyls, PM-10 metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of chemicals found naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline. PAHs are produced when coal, oil, gas, wood, trash, and tobacco are burned. (22, 23)
What You Can Do To Fight Air Pollution
EPA has many other programs that provide outdoor air quality monitoring, as required by the CAA and its amendments; however, there are also some things you can do to help improve air quality (24, 25):
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Conserve electricity. Set your thermostat a little higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Get involved in local energy conservation programs.
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Look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for home or office equipment. ENERGY STAR is the trusted symbol for energy efficient products and practices. The ENERGY STAR label was established to:
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Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by inefficient use of energy.
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Make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and convenience.
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Keep vehicle engines properly tuned.
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Carpool, use public transportation, bike or walk whenever possible.
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Combine errands to reduce “cold starts” on your car.
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Burn only dry, seasoned wood or, better yet, use gas logs. If you use a wood stove or fireplace insert, make sure it meets EPA design specifications.
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Compost leaves and yard debris instead of burning it.
While the EPA is tasked with monitoring the nation’s air quality, everyone can help by taking even some of the actions listed above. Doing so can improve the air quality in your home and the environment over time, which can lead to better overall health for you and your loved ones.