Quantification of the Health Impacts Associated with Fine Particulate Matter due to Wildfires
Abstract
Wildfires can be devastating to property and the ecological landscape; they also have
a substantial impact on human health and welfare. Wildfires emit a variety of air
pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10),
volatile organic compounds, as well as nitrogen and sulfur oxides. Fine particles
(PM2.5) have been linked to many cardiovascular and respiratory problems such as premature
death, heart attacks, asthma exacerbation, and acute bronchitis. This project focuses
on quantifying the incidence and monetary value of adverse human health impacts resulting
from wildfire emissions of PM2.5 in the Pacific Northwest during the summer of 2007.
Using a combination of tools, including geospatial analysis and a benefits assessment
tool developed by U.S. EPA (BenMAP), this project investigates the changes in incidence
of certain health outcomes resulting from the change in air quality attributable to
wildfire. The changes in incidence can then be given a dollar value using valuation
functions to highlight the magnitude of the health effects caused by PM2.5 wildfire
emissions. In light of current climate change predictions, PM2.5 wildfire emissions
may be expected to increase in the future.
Type
Master's projectPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/495Citation
Douglass, Rachel L. (2008). Quantification of the Health Impacts Associated with Fine Particulate Matter due to
Wildfires. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/495.Collections
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