Monitoring of firefighters exposure to smoke during fire experiments in Portugal

Miranda, Ana Isabel; Martins, V.; Cascão, P.; Amorim, Jorge Humberto; Valente, Joana; Tavares, Richard; Borrego, Carlos; Tchepel, Oxana; Ferreira, António Jorge; Cordeiro, Carlos Robalo; Viegas, Domingos X.; Ribeiro, Luís Mário; Pita, L. P.

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2010.05.009

Cited by 52 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Off-site impacts of prescribed burning, such as air pollution and downstream water quality effects with their implications for small mammals and reptiles (Miranda et al 2010) as well as for drinking water supply have not been considered in this study, and indeed there has been little research elsewhere into this topic. This research gap needs to be addressed in the future.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of prescribed fire on surface soil in a Pinus pinaster plantation, northern Portugal

et al. 2014

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In order to decrease the risk of severe wildfire, prescribed fire has recently been adopted in Portugal and elsewhere in the Mediterranean as a major tool for reducing the fuel load instead of manual or mechanical removal of vegetation. There has been some research into its impact on soils in shrublands and grasslands, but to date little research has been conducted in forested areas in the region. As a result, the impact of prescribed fire on the physico-chemical soil characteristics of forest soils has been assumed to be minimal, but this has not been demonstrated. In this study, we present the results of a monitoring campaign of a detailed pre-and post-prescribed fire assessment of soil properties in a long-unburnt P. pinaster plantation, NW Portugal. The soil characteristics examined were pH, total porosity, bulk density, moisture content, organic matter content and litter/ash quantity. The results show that there was no significant impact on the measured soil properties, the only effect being confined to minor changes in the upper 1 cm of soil. We conclude that provided the fire is carried out according to strict guidelines in P. pinaster forest, a minimal impact on soil properties can be expected.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of prescribed fire on surface soil in a Pinus pinaster plantation, northern Portugal

et al. 2014

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“…It is possible to measure total VOCs using sampling devices with appropriate detectors. Miranda et al (2010) measured total VOCs and demonstrated a maximum VOC concentration of 88 ppmv in fire experiments. However, national and international regulatory standards such as the Threshold Limit Value (TLV)-TWA, (TLV)-STEL, or peak limits are established individually for specific compounds, but not collectively for total VOCs (Miranda et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To assess the combined effects of compounds in smoke on the respiratory system, Brown (2009) andSlaughter et al (2004) have used an index called E m , which provides a respiratory irritant exposure index. Effects on firefighters may be acute, subchronic, or chronic and are typically associated with acute decreases in respiratory function with increasing exposure (Barboni et al, 2010;Miranda et al, 1994Miranda et al, , 2010Reinhardt et al, 2001;Slaughter et al, 2004;Ward et al, 1973). Several studies have concluded that exposure to smoke from prescribed burning is associated with significant degeneration in lung function (Materna et al, 1992;Malilay, 1999;Mustajbegovic et al, 2001;Liu et al, 1992;Reinhardt et al, 2000;Rothman et al, 1991), while others found less significant degeneration (Betchley et al, 1997;Slaughter et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Compounds emitted by smoke may present an important public health issue for communities directly affected and particularly for personnel involved in firefighting operations (Barboni et al, 2010;Miranda et al, 1994Miranda et al, , 2010Reinhardt et al, 2001Reinhardt et al, , 2004Ward et al, 1973). To assess the combined effects of compounds in smoke on the respiratory system, Brown (2009) andSlaughter et al (2004) have used an index called E m , which provides a respiratory irritant exposure index.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quantification of volatile organic compounds in smoke from prescribed burning and comparison with occupational exposure limits

Romagnoli

Barboni

Santoni

et al. 2014

Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Prescribed burning represents a serious threat to personnel fighting fires due to smoke inhalation. The aim of this study was to investigate exposure by foresters to smoke from prescribed burning, focusing on exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The methodology for smoke sampling was first evaluated. Potentially dangerous compounds were identified among the VOCs emitted by smoke fires at four prescribed burning plots located around Corsica. The measured mass concentrations for several toxic VOCs were generally higher than those measured in previous studies due to the experimental framework (short sampling distance between the foresters and the flame, low combustion, wet vegetation). In particular, benzene, phenol and furfural exceeded the legal short-term exposure limits published in Europe and/or the United States. Other VOCs such as toluene, ethybenzene or styrene remained below the exposure limits. In conclusion, clear and necessary recommendations were made for protection of personnel involved in fighting fires.

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“…In this context, carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) are among the air pollutants with the most significant effects over the safety of the personnel in the terrain e.g. [1][2][3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling the exposure of firefighters to smoke based on measured data

Miranda

Amorim

Martins

et al. 2012

Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Forest Fires III

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This work addresses the exposure of firefighters to carbon monoxide (CO) contained in smoke. We have measured the time and space variation of firefighters' exposure to CO concentration levels during a real scale fire experiment. A model for the estimation of personal exposure of firefighters to smoke was developed. Based on the combination of georeferenced location of a firefighter and on computed air quality levels the model calculates the individual exposure for a given period. Good agreement was found between estimated and measured averaged exposure during the fire experiments.The information on the individual exposure of firefighters can support the management of the crew positioning by anticipating potentially critical exposure levels and recommending safer routes for the attack.

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Monitoring of firefighters exposure to smoke during fire experiments in Portugal

Cited by 52 publications

References 15 publications

Effects of prescribed fire on surface soil in a Pinus pinaster plantation, northern Portugal

Effects of prescribed fire on surface soil in a Pinus pinaster plantation, northern Portugal

Quantification of volatile organic compounds in smoke from prescribed burning and comparison with occupational exposure limits

Modelling the exposure of firefighters to smoke based on measured data

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