Nanoparticles Emitted by Biomass Burning: Characterization and Monitoring of Risks

Abstract

UsingNanoparticlesbiomassBiomass(e.g. sugarcane bagasse) as biofuelBurningin industries and distilleries is already well known and has recently been increasingly more utilized to produce heat and energy, thus emissions from burning this fuel have reached local and global populations. Biomass burning in general is the major anthropogenic source of many air pollutants. Environmental assessments must be carried out frequently and should consider not only burning fields, which are still recurrent, but also the use of bagasse as fuel, its emissions and the control in industry, taking into account air quality and harmful effects on healthHealth. In order to evaluate the atmospheric changes and the effect of the compounds emitted during biomass combustionCombustionon human health, particulate matter (PM) emission control and characterization must be carried out. Particles emitted by biomass burning have varied compositions, including organic, inorganic as well as elemental carbon. These analyses can identify different emission sources, such as fixed sources, air mass trajectories and quantification of open burning. However, ambient air quality standards should be reassessed, including the effects of ultrafine particulate matter (nanoparticles) and solutions should be sought to reduce the concentration of these materials in the atmosphere and hence improve public health.