Abstract

Background:

Preharvest burning of sugarcane is a common agricultural practice in Florida, which produces fine particulate matter [particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter $\le 2.5\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{m}$ (${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$)] that is associated with higher mortality.

Objectives:

We estimated premature mortality associated with exposure to ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ from sugarcane burning in people age 25 y and above for 20 counties in South Florida.

Methods:

We combined information from an atmospheric dispersion model, satellites, and surface measurements to quantify ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ concentrations in South Florida and the fraction of ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ from sugarcane fires. From these concentrations, estimated mortalities attributable to ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ from sugarcane fires were calculated by census tract using health impact functions derived from literature for six causes of death linked to ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$. Confidence intervals (CI) are provided based on Monte Carlo simulations that propagate uncertainty in the emissions, dispersion model, health impact functions, and demographic data.

Results:

Sugarcane fires emitted an amount of primary ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ similar to that of motor vehicles in Florida. ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ from sugarcane fires is estimated to contribute to mortality rates within the Florida Sugarcane Growing Region (SGR) by 0.4 death per 100,000 people per year (95% CI: 0.3, 1.6 per 100,000). These estimates imply 2.5 deaths per year across South Florida were associated with ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ from sugarcane fires (95% CI: 1.2, 6.1), with 0.16 in the SGR (95% CI: 0.09, 0.6) and 0.72 in Palm Beach County (95% CI: 0.17, 2.2).

Discussion:

${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ from sugarcane fires was estimated to contribute to mortality risk across South Florida, particularly in the SGR. This is consistent with prior studies that documented impacts of sugarcane fire on air quality but did not quantify mortality. Additional health impacts of sugarcane fires, which were not quantified here, include exacerbating nonfatal health conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular problems. Harvesting sugarcane without field burning would likely reduce ${\mathrm{PM}}_{2.5}$ and health burdens in this region. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9957

中文翻译：

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甘蔗火灾对南佛罗里达州空气质量和公共卫生的影响

摘要

背景：

甘蔗的收获前燃烧是佛罗里达州常见的农业实践，它会产生细颗粒物 [具有空气动力学直径的颗粒物 (PM)$\le 2.5\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{米}$(${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$)] 这与较高的死亡率有关。

目标：

我们估计了与暴露于${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$来自南佛罗里达州 20 个县的 25 岁及以上人群的甘蔗燃烧。

方法：

我们结合了来自大气扩散模型、卫星和地表测量的信息来量化${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$南佛罗里达州的浓度和${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$来自甘蔗火灾。根据这些浓度，估计的死亡率归因于${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$通过人口普查，使用从文献中得出的与与${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$. 置信区间 (CI) 是基于在排放、扩散模型、健康影响函数和人口数据中传播不确定性的蒙特卡洛模拟提供的。

结果：

甘蔗火灾释放出大量初级${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$类似于佛罗里达州的机动车。${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$据估计，甘蔗火灾导致佛罗里达甘蔗种植区 (SGR) 每年每 10 万人中有 0.4 人死亡（95% CI：0.3，每 10 万人中有 1.6 人死亡）。这些估计表明，南佛罗里达州每年有 2.5 人死亡与${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$来自甘蔗火灾 (95% CI: 1.2, 6.1)，SGR 为 0.16 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.6)，棕榈滩县为 0.72 (95% CI: 0.17, 2.2)。

讨论：

${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$据估计，甘蔗火灾造成的死亡风险会增加整个南佛罗里达州的死亡风险，特别是在 SGR。这与先前的研究一致，这些研究记录了甘蔗火灾对空气质量的影响，但没有量化死亡率。甘蔗火灾对健康的其他影响（此处未量化）包括加剧非致命性健康状况，例如哮喘和心血管问题。在不烧田的情况下收获甘蔗可能会减少${\mathrm{下午}}_{2.5}$和该地区的健康负担。https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9957