AAAR 37th Annual Conference October 14 - October 18, 2019 Oregon Convention Center Portland, Oregon, USA
Abstract View
What to Do About the Toll Biomass Burning is Taking on our Health, Indoor Environments, and Climate
SHELLY MILLER, University of Colorado Boulder
Abstract Number: 110 Working Group: Invited by Conference Chair
Abstract Biomass burning emissions include those from wildfires, controlled and agricultural burns, and burning of biofuels for heating and cooking. Emissions of aerosols and gaseous pollutants from burning biomass have major impacts on air quality, public health, and climate at spatial scales that range from indoors to global. Impacts are felt in developed and developing countries alike. Exposures are experienced mostly indoors due to the time we spend at home, so the focus of this presentation will be on indoor-related impacts. Particulate matter is of special interest because of the large quantity produced during biomass combustion and because of its known adverse human health outcomes, including increased hospitalizations, mortality, respiratory symptoms and infections, and inflammation. Climate change is increasing the frequency of wildfires and area burned; also, biomass burning is linked to changing the climate. This presentation will detail the latest science on impacts of biomass burning on indoor environments including wildfire impacts on residential exposure and biofuels combustion in homes in developing countries. Additional comments will include indoor cooking emissions from food preparation because this is a significant source of exposure to aerosols and toxic gases. A discussion of what can we do about it includes control strategies to effectively reduce exposures with ventilation, window opening, air cleaners, alternative fuels, and cleaner stove technology.