Abstract
This study aims to identify and quantify the impact of episodic pollution sources, in particular fireworks and wildfire, on the air quality and public health in South Florida. Specifically, two case studies demonstrated the critical impact of episodic events on the regional air quality with long-range and/or regional transport of air parcels. In May 2007, the infamous Bugaboo Scrub Fire at the Florida-Georgia border generated a substantial amount of smoke, significantly increasing the concentration of atmospheric particulate matter (PM 2.5). Detailed meteorological analyses, such as NOAA’s HYSPLIT trajectory modeling, showed that certain wind conditions carried the smoke plume over 400 miles to South Florida, contributing to the very high aerosol concentrations that posed threats to the public health from Fort Lauderdale to Homestead. On the other hand, during Independence Day celebrations and New Year’s celebrations, the fireworks displays in Miami and Fort Lauderdale emitted substantial amounts of aerosols and smoke. Trajectory analyses showed that these fireworks elevated the atmospheric aerosol concentration in nearby areas to unhealthy levels for various years, posing a public health concern. During such events, precautionary notices can and should be brought to the public’s attention using analyses of pollution sources and transport trajectories.
Faculty Sponsors
Song Gao, Ph.D.
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-10-2015 1:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2015 5:30 PM
Wildfires, Fireworks, and Air Quality: Episodic Events with Impactful Consequences
Alvin Sherman Library
This study aims to identify and quantify the impact of episodic pollution sources, in particular fireworks and wildfire, on the air quality and public health in South Florida. Specifically, two case studies demonstrated the critical impact of episodic events on the regional air quality with long-range and/or regional transport of air parcels. In May 2007, the infamous Bugaboo Scrub Fire at the Florida-Georgia border generated a substantial amount of smoke, significantly increasing the concentration of atmospheric particulate matter (PM 2.5). Detailed meteorological analyses, such as NOAA’s HYSPLIT trajectory modeling, showed that certain wind conditions carried the smoke plume over 400 miles to South Florida, contributing to the very high aerosol concentrations that posed threats to the public health from Fort Lauderdale to Homestead. On the other hand, during Independence Day celebrations and New Year’s celebrations, the fireworks displays in Miami and Fort Lauderdale emitted substantial amounts of aerosols and smoke. Trajectory analyses showed that these fireworks elevated the atmospheric aerosol concentration in nearby areas to unhealthy levels for various years, posing a public health concern. During such events, precautionary notices can and should be brought to the public’s attention using analyses of pollution sources and transport trajectories.
