Impact of Wildfire Smoke on PM2.5, CO, NO2, and SO2 Levels

Abstract

Air pollution can negatively impact public and individual health, as well as the environment. This paper investigates the impact of wildfires on levels of different air pollutants in order to determine whether focusing on reducing wildfires can be an efficient way to reduce specific pollutants. By plotting the number of acres burning in wildfires along with the overall concentration of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) during a period of time in California, this paper estimates the contribution of wildfire smoke to the level of each pollutant. The results show that PM2.5 levels were the most heavily impacted by wildfires out of the four pollutants studied, and therefore actions to reduce the size and quantity of wildfires can be helpful to reduce the damage done by PM2.5 pollution. However, CO, NO2, and SO2 levels, while they may be correlated with fire size, are likely more strongly influenced by other factors. To minimize the harmful effects of these three pollutants, it may be more effective to focus on investigating other sources of CO, NO2, and SO2, such as the burning of fossil fuels in industrial machinery and motor vehicles.