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Real-time and time-integrated PM2.5 and CO from prescribed burns in chipped and non-chipped plots: firefighter and community exposure and health implications

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 16, pages 351–361 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

In this study, smoke data were collected from two plots located on the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina during prescribed burns on 12 February 2003. One of the plots had been subjected to mechanical chipping, the other was not. This study is part of a larger investigation of fire behavior related to mechanical chipping, parts of which are presented elsewhere. The primary objective of the study reported herein was to measure PM2.5 and CO exposures from prescribed burn smoke from a mechanically chipped vs. non-chipped site. Ground-level time-integrated PM2.5 samplers (n=9/plot) were placed at a height of 1.5 m around the sampling plots on the downwind side separated by approximately 20 m. Elevated time-integrated PM2.5 samplers (n=4/plot) were hung atop ∼30 ft poles at positions within the interior of each of the plots. Real-time PM2.5 and CO data were collected at downwind locations on the perimeter of each plot. Time-integrated perimeter 12-h PM2.5 concentrations in the non-chipped plot (AVG 519.9 μg/m3, SD 238.8 μg/m3) were significantly higher (1-tail P-value 0.01) than those at the chipped plot (AVG 198.1 μg/m3, SD 71.6 μg/m3). Similarly, interior time-integrated 8-h PM2.5 concentrations in the non-chipped plot (AVG 773.4 μg/m3, SD 321.8 μg/m3) were moderately higher (1-tail P-value 0.06) than those at the chipped plot (AVG 460.3 μg/m3, SD 147.3 μg/m3). Real-time PM2.5 and CO data measured at a position in the chipped plot were uniformly lower than those observed at the same position in the non-chipped plot over the same time period. These results demonstrate that smoke exposures resulting from burned chipped plots are considerably lower than from burned non-chipped plots. These findings have potentially important implications for both firefighters working prescribed burnings at chipped vs. non-chipped sites, as well as nearby communities who may be impacted from smoke traveling downwind from these sights.

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Notes

  1. 1000-h fuels: 1000 refers to the number of hours of drying post saturating rain necessary before that particular fuel diameter class reaches 63% of equilibrium moisture value. In practical terms this is the timelag before the fuel dries sufficiently to burn. It is the largest diameter class of downed fuels typically recognized in fuel sampling.

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Acknowledgements

We thank University of Georgia technicians Jeffrey Yanosky, Robert Robinson, Cameron Carlton, Krista Merry and Dean Hardy for their help with data collection and analysis. Thanks also go to FMNF Fire Management Officer Eddie Stroman, and the FMNF Burn Crew. Last, thanks also go to John Brubaker, who suggested the pole technique for mounting the PM2.5 sensors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Science, The University of Georgia, College of Public Health, Athens, Georgia, USA

    Luke P Naeher

  2. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Athens, GA, USA

    Gary L Achtemeier

  3. Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, 32312, FL, USA

    Jeff S Glitzenstein & Donna R Streng

  4. Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc., Newton, MA, USA

    David Macintosh

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  1. Luke P Naeher
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  2. Gary L Achtemeier
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  3. Jeff S Glitzenstein
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  4. Donna R Streng
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  5. David Macintosh
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Correspondence to Luke P Naeher.

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Funding: United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service

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Naeher, L., Achtemeier, G., Glitzenstein, J. et al. Real-time and time-integrated PM2.5 and CO from prescribed burns in chipped and non-chipped plots: firefighter and community exposure and health implications. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 16, 351–361 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jes.7500497

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