PRESCRIBED BURNS IN COLORADO: IMPACTS OF MITIGATION MEASURES ON INDOOR AIR PARTICULATE MATTER

摘要

Wildfires and prescribed burns are receiving increasing attention as sources of fine participate matter (PM). This study measures residential indoor and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations that occur during a prescribed burn. This pilot-scale study solicited participant pairs of residences impacted by smoke from prescribed burns and monitored the PM_(2.5) inside and outside of the houses. The effect of using an air cleaner on indoor PM_(2.5) was measured. Appropriately sized air cleaners were provided to one of the two residences; occupants of both residences were asked to keep windows shut and minimize opening of exterior doors. Outside PM_(2.5) concentrations were 22-38 μg/m~3 during the fire and 2.1- 3.0 μg/m~3 after the fire. During the fire, PM2.5 was 2.2 μg/m~3 inside the house with the air cleaner compared to 22 μg/m~3 inside the other house. After the fire, background indoor levels were 3.5-6.9 μg/m3. Indoor PM2.s decreased by 83% with the air cleaner operating.