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1 1 (February 10, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/govecdy0001 and id is 1 raw text is: SCongressional * Research Service informing the legisIafive debate since 1914___________________ Wildfire Smoke: Air Quality Concerns and Management Updated February 10, 2021 Wildfire smoke can temporarily degrade air quality and harm human health. Some Members of Congress have expressed concern about wildfire health risks, including potential interactions with COVID-19. This Insight provides background, discusses federal air quality requirements related to wildfires, and identifies wildfire smoke response programs. Background The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish minimum national standards for air quality to protect human health and the environment from emissions that pollute ambient (outdoor) air. EPA has set and periodically revised national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for six criteria air pollutants-ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead. Under the CAA, states have primary responsibility for assuring compliance with the standards, and for establishing and incorporating procedures in state implementation plans to attain and maintain the NAAQS. Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of air pollutants that can travel long distances. The chemical composition of smoke depends on various factors including burn conditions (e.g., fire temperature), type of biomass burned (e.g., vegetation), and weather-related influences (e.g., wind). Particles (particulate matter) are the principal pollutant of concern from wildfire smoke. Additional pollutants of concern from wildfire smoke include carbon monoxide, hazardous air pollutants, and emissions that contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. Particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the atmosphere. Particle size can range from those visible only through high-power microscopes to larger particles (e.g., soot). EPA's National Emissions Inventory (NEI) identifies wildfires as a major contributor of particulate matter (2002-2019 data and 2014 NEI Report), though quantifying the precise contribution remains an active area of research. Smoke particles are typically very small and can be inhaled deeply into the lungs. Research has linked short-term exposure to fine particles with a range of health effects, including eye irritation, sore throat, coughing, breathing difficulties, worsening of preexisting heart and lung disease, and increased premature Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN11528 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress

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