Rising emissions from wildfires over recent decades in the Pacific Northwest are known to counteract the reductions in human-produced aerosol pollution over North America. This study finds corresponding increases in carbon monoxide emitted from Pacific Northwest wildfires and observes significant impacts on both local and downwind air pollution. Between 2002 and 2018, Pacific Northwest atmospheric carbon monoxide abundance increased in August, modifying the seasonal pattern. These changes extend over large regions of North America, indicating that transported wildfire pollution could impact the health of millions.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Apr 19, 2022
Authors
Rebecca R. Buchholz, Mijeong Park, Helen M. Worden, Wenfu Tang, David P. Edwards, Benjamin Gaubert, Merritt N. Deeter, Thomas Sullivan, Muye Ru, Mian Chin, Robert C. Levy, Bo Zheng, Sheryl Magzamen
Tags
wildfires
carbon monoxide
air pollution
Pacific Northwest
health impact
aerosol emissions
transported pollution
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