Wildfires and Air Pollution

Understanding the sectoral contribution of emissions to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) offers information for air quality management, and for investigation of association with health outcomes.

This study evaluates the contribution of different emission sectors to PM2.5in 2013 for Canada using the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model, downscaled with satellite-based PM2.5. We find that wildfire is the leading sector of PM2.5 air pollution across Canada, with a contribution of 17% annually, followed by transportation (16%) and the residential combustion sector (15%).