Nowell, H.K., Wirks, C., Val Martin, M. orcid.org/0000-0001-9715-0504 et al. (4 more authors) (2022) Impacts of sugarcane fires on air quality and public health in South Florida. Environmental Health Perspectives, 130 (8). 087004. ISSN 0091-6765
Abstract
Background:
Preharvest burning of sugarcane is a common agricultural practice in Florida, which produces fine particulate matter [particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5μm (PM2.5)] that is associated with higher mortality.
Objectives:
We estimated premature mortality associated with exposure to PM2.5 from sugarcane burning in people age 25 y and above for 20 counties in South Florida.
Methods:
We combined information from an atmospheric dispersion model, satellites, and surface measurements to quantify PM2.5 concentrations in South Florida and the fraction of PM2.5 from sugarcane fires. From these concentrations, estimated mortalities attributable to PM2.5 from sugarcane fires were calculated by census tract using health impact functions derived from literature for six causes of death linked to PM2.5. Confidence intervals (CI) are provided based on Monte Carlo simulations that propagate uncertainty in the emissions, dispersion model, health impact functions, and demographic data.
Results:
Sugarcane fires emitted an amount of primary PM2.5 similar to that of motor vehicles in Florida. PM2.5 from sugarcane fires is estimated to contribute to mortality rates within the Florida Sugarcane Growing Region (SGR) by 0.4 death per 100,000 people per year (95% CI: 0.3, 1.6 per 100,000). These estimates imply 2.5 deaths per year across South Florida were associated with PM2.5 from sugarcane fires (95% CI: 1.2, 6.1), with 0.16 in the SGR (95% CI: 0.09, 0.6) and 0.72 in Palm Beach County (95% CI: 0.17, 2.2).
Discussion:
PM2.5 from sugarcane fires was estimated to contribute to mortality risk across South Florida, particularly in the SGR. This is consistent with prior studies that documented impacts of sugarcane fire on air quality but did not quantify mortality. Additional health impacts of sugarcane fires, which were not quantified here, include exacerbating nonfatal health conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular problems. Harvesting sugarcane without field burning would likely reduce PM2.5 and health burdens in this region. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9957
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 The Author(s). Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Adult; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Fires; Florida; Humans; Particulate Matter; Public Health; Saccharum |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > School of Biosciences (Sheffield) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL MR/T019867/1 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 22 Sep 2022 14:11 |
Last Modified: | 10 Feb 2023 14:14 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Environmental Health Perspectives |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1289/ehp9957 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:190670 |