Spatial–temporal variability and health impact of particulate matter during a 2019–2020 biomass burning event in Southeast Asia

• Published in: Scientific reports 2022-05, Vol.12 (1), Article 7630
• Main Authors: Othman, Murnira, Latif, Mohd Talib, Hamid, Haris Hafizal Abd, Uning, Royston, Khumsaeng, Thipsukon, Phairuang, Worradorn, Daud, Zawawi, Idris, Juferi, Sofwan, Nurzawani Md, Lung, Shih-Chun Candice
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 704/106/35/824; 704/172/169; 704/172/4081; Air pollution; Biomass; Burning; Chemical engineering; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Civil engineering; Climate change; College campuses; Dry season; Environmental impact; Haze; Health sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Monsoons; Mortality; multidisciplinary; Particulate matter; Peatlands; Respiratory tract; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Seasons; Trends
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11409-z

To understand the characteristics of particulate matter (PM) in the Southeast Asia region, the spatial–temporal concentrations of PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM 1 in Malaysia (Putrajaya, Bukit Fraser and Kota Samarahan) and Thailand (Chiang Mai) were determined using the AS-LUNG V.2 Outdoor sensor. The period of measurement was over a year from 2019 to 2020. The highest concentrations of all sizes of PM in Putrajaya, Bukit Fraser and Kota Samarahan were observed in September 2019 while the highest PM 10 , PM 2.5 and PM 1 concentrations in Chiang Mai were observed between March and early April 2020 with 24 h average concentrations during haze days in ranges 83.7–216 µg m −3 , 78.3–209 µg m −3 and 57.2–140 µg m −3 , respectively. The average PM 2.5 /PM 10 ratio during haze days was 0.93 ± 0.05, which was higher than the average for normal days (0.89 ± 0.13) for all sites, indicating higher PM 2.5 concentrations during haze days compared to normal days. An analysis of particle deposition in the human respiratory tract showed a higher total deposition fraction value during haze days than on non-haze days. The result from this study indicated that Malaysia and Thailand are highly affected by biomass burning activity during the dry seasons and the Southwest monsoon.