Air pollution impacts from open air burning

Abstract

As part of the air quality monitoring and assessment, emissions from the open air burning of waste and biomass have proven important sources of impact on the population exposure. The emissions of a variety of air pollutants from different types of open-air burning have been evaluated. Simple model estimates are used to estimate the impact in areas downwind from backyard burning. Different models have been used to estimate the importance of impact and the reasons for odours detected downwind from waste dumping areas. Data from Cairo and other major cities have been used to estimate the impact of emissions from agricultural waste burning. In several urban areas especially in developing countries the contribution to the PM exposure has been demonstrated to range between 30 and 50% dependent upon weather conditions. The design and application of combined monitoring programmes and models may be part of the systematic evaluation of impacts and optimal control of the sources.