Viswanathan Shekar, Eria Luis, Diunugala Nimal, Johnson Jeffrey, McClean Christopher
School of Engineering and Technology, National University, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2006 Jan;56(1):56-67. doi: 10.1080/10473289.2006.10464439.
The impact of major gaseous and particulate pollutants emitted by the wildfire of October 2003 on ambient air quality and health of San Diego residents before, during, and after the fire are analyzed using data available from the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District and California Air Resources Board. It was found that fine particulate matter (PM) levels exceeded the federal daily 24-hr average standard during the fire. There was a slight increase in some of the gaseous pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, which exceeded federal standards. Ozone (O3) precursors, such as total hydrocarbons and methane gases, experienced elevated concentration during the fire. Fortunately, the absence of sunlight because of the cloud of thick smoke that covered most of the county during the fire appears to have prevented the photochemical conversion of the precursor gases to harmful concentrations of O3. Statistical analysis of the compiled medical surveillance data has been used to establish correlations between pollutant levels in the region and the resultant health problems experienced by the county citizens. The study shows that the increased PM concentration above the federal standard resulted in a significant increase in hospital emergency room visits for asthma, respiratory problems, eye irritation, and smoke inhalation. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended that hospitals and emergency medical facilities engage in pre-event planning that would ensure a rapid response to an impact on the healthcare system as a result of a large wildfire and appropriate agencies engage in the use of all available meteorological forecasting resources, including real-time satellite imaging assets, to accurately forecast air quality and assist firefighting efforts.
利用圣地亚哥县空气污染控制区和加利福尼亚空气资源委员会提供的数据，分析了2003年10月野火排放的主要气态和颗粒物污染物在火灾前、火灾期间和火灾后对圣地亚哥居民环境空气质量和健康的影响。研究发现，火灾期间细颗粒物（PM）水平超过了联邦每日24小时平均标准。一些气态污染物略有增加，如一氧化碳，超过了联邦标准。臭氧（O3）前体，如总碳氢化合物和甲烷气体，在火灾期间浓度升高。幸运的是，火灾期间覆盖该县大部分地区的浓烟云导致缺乏阳光，这似乎阻止了前体气体光化学转化为有害浓度的O3。对汇编的医疗监测数据进行统计分析，以建立该地区污染物水平与该县居民所经历的健康问题之间的相关性。研究表明，PM浓度超过联邦标准导致哮喘、呼吸问题、眼睛刺激和吸入烟雾等疾病的医院急诊室就诊人数显著增加。根据研究结果，建议医院和紧急医疗设施进行事前规划，以确保在大型野火对医疗系统造成影响时能够迅速做出反应，相关机构利用所有可用的气象预报资源，包括实时卫星成像资产，准确预测空气质量并协助灭火工作。
