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Hazy skies, low-hanging clouds, and risky air quality have become common occurrences in many regions of the United States this summer. What was once predominantly experienced on the West Coast due to wildfires is now affecting the East Coast and Midwest as well. In June 2023, over 120 million Americans were living under air quality warnings, with cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee experiencing some of the worst air quality globally.

These conditions can be attributed to the unprecedented wildfires in Canada, which have burnt a staggering 25 million acres, roughly the size of Kentucky. These fires have surpassed the record set by Canadian fires in 1989. Tragically, the wildfires have already claimed the lives of two Canadian firefighters and displaced more than 120,000 people. The early and severe wildfire season can be attributed to extreme heat and dry, windy weather.

While the impact of the 2023 Canadian fires has been felt across the United States, certain communities have been grappling with poor air quality for generations. South Baltimore’s Curtis Bay neighborhood, located near the Curtis Bay coal terminal, has been heavily affected by industrial pollution. Giant mounds of coal from the Appalachian region await export at the CSX Transportation Coal Piers, leading to the accumulation of coal dust on neighboring cars and homes. Residents have reported stained siding and respiratory issues.

This neighborhood is just one example of the millions of Americans living with dangerous air pollution, including nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, ground-level ozone, and tiny particulates that infiltrate every surface. Despite community lawsuits, protests, and fines for violating worker safety, CSX continues its operations in South Baltimore. The impact on residents is not limited to coal dust; they also experience diesel pollution due to heavy truck traffic.

Air pollution disproportionately affects poor communities and people of color. Areas that had poor air quality prior to the Clean Air Act of 1970, such as southeast Texas and Rust Belt areas, continue to struggle with pollution today. The effects of air pollution range from respiratory issues to the development and worsening of asthma, with children in low-income urban areas being more susceptible.

One challenge in dealing with air quality is the difficulty of monitoring and tracking it effectively. Land-based monitors are limited in their coverage and cannot pick up everything. Approximately 79% of US counties lack an Environmental Protection Agency monitor on the ground. This is where satellite monitoring systems come into play.

One such system is the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) satellite instrument, a collaboration between NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. TEMPO, launching in late August 2023, will provide continuous air pollution readings for the entire country. By measuring sunlight reflected and scattered from the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, TEMPO will provide valuable data on ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and other elements of atmospheric chemistry cycles.

Real-time monitoring from satellites like TEMPO can offer a more comprehensive view of communities burdened by pollution. This information is crucial as air quality can fluctuate throughout the day due to various factors like increased diesel truck traffic or chemical disasters. The satellite will be a significant advancement in monitoring efforts, providing valuable insights to both researchers and the public.

Ensuring clean air is essential for the well-being of individuals and communities alike. By addressing the sources of pollution and employing advanced monitoring technologies, we can take steps towards a healthier and more sustainable future.

The post Wildfires and Air Pollution: A Look into the Impact and Monitoring Efforts appeared first on satProviders.