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- Info
Forest fires and smoke - impacts on air quality and human health in the USA
| Author: |
McMahon, C.K. |
| Date: |
1999 |
| Periodical: |
In: Proceedings of the TAPPI intenational environmental conference. Nashville, TN: TAPPI Press. |
| Link: |
http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/ja/ja_mcmahon001.pdf
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| Abstract: |
Scientific and regulatory interest in the air quality impacts of forest fire smoke (both prescribed and wildfires) followed the implementation of the 1970 Clean Air Act amendments. Attention on forest fires became more focused as a series of new amendments were enacted to protect the air quality and visibility of "natural" areas; and as the particulate matter air quality standards on "inhalable" and "respirable" particles were tightened. Forest fires have been shown to be a significant source of these small particles. Resource managers are adapting to these regulations by adopting Smoke Management strategies which include sophisticated decision support systems. Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (with public & private input) is developing a natural "Wildland Fire/Air Quality" policy which attempts to integrate two public policy goals (1) to allow fire to function in its natural role to maintain healthy ecosystems and (2) to protect public health and welfare by mitigating smoke impacts. |
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