Emission of toxic gases in forest fire

Abstract

Forest fires have affected large areas in different regions of the planet. The emission of gases during these accidents is the cause of several problems to the health of the combatants and the population in general. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze and quantify polluting gases and particulate materials emitted during the occurrence of forest fires in different types of biomass and the correlation with the possible health problems of the brigadiers. For this purpose, fires in eucalyptus, pine, teak and pasture biomass were simulated in an experimental table in the south of the state of Espírito Santo. With a portable gas detector, CH4, CO, CO2, NH3 and H2S gases released during the combustion process were captured and analyzed. Using the remaining ash, the size of the particulate materials was measured. To determine the influence of materials on the release of gases, a completely randomized design and the Tukey test at 5% probability were applied. The burning of pasture biomass resulted in a greater release of CO (796.52 ppm), CO2 (490.52 ppm) NH3 (32.58 ppm). Therefore, it is concluded that the particulate materials emitted by the treatments of the present study were larger than those indicated as inhalable by humans, in relation to the damage to human health, it is concluded that the burning of pasture and eucalyptus biomass are the most harmful. The results elucidated the importance of the use of PPE’s by the combatants and all those directly involved with forest fires.