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DataRAM 2000 Particulate Monitor Forest Service User's Guide
Particulate matter (PM) from burning biomass is comprised largely of elemental and organic carbon, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace minerals. Particulate matter is the major pollutant from wildland fire smoke. Smoke particles tend to be very small-less than 1 micron in diameter. Particulate matter from wood smoke has a size range near the wavelength of visible light (0.4 to 0.7 micrometers). These particles are the right size to scatter light and reduce visibility. Respiratory-related health effects have been associated with biomass burning, particularly for sensitive groups (persons with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, the elderly, and children). Airborne concentrations of particulate, especially particulate smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5), pose health, visibility, safety, and nuisance problems. The proposed U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency standard for PM2.5 is 65 micrograms per cubic meter for a 24-hour average. At PM2.5 levels higher than 65 micrograms per cubic meter, visibility is reduced to 2.5 to 3 miles and air quality may be considered unhealthy.
For help answering smoke-related questions, see Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials: http://www.deq.state. mt.us/FireUpdates/Guide_for_Public_Health_Officials.doc
Smoke Management Plans-A comprehensive smoke management plan is essential for the successful use of fire as a wildland management tool. Monitoring ambient air to ensure that smoke does not threaten people or protected areas is an essential element of each prescribed burn plan. The proper use of ambient air monitoring can help ensure that wildland burning complies with State and Federal air-quality laws and regulations while satisfying land management objectives. The real-time estimated mass concentrations of particulate from smoke can be used by the Forest Service to help manage a burn and its production of smoke. If concentration levels show rising trends that may affect a local community, fire managers may alter the lighting technique to produce better smoke disper-sion or they may decide to extinguish the fire.
During wildland fires, the DataRAM can be sited near population centers or rural communities to provide PM2.5 concentration estimates for land managers and public health officials. Such data can be used to determine the need for health advisories for the general public.
| Categories | Visibility (miles) | Particulate levels PM2.5 (averaged 1 hour, micrograms per cubic meter) |
Particulate levels PM2.5 (averaged 8 hours, micrograms per cubic meter) |
Particulate levels PM2.5 (averaged 24 hours, micrograms per cubic meter) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 10 or more | 0 to 40 | 0 to 22.0 | 0 to 15.4 |
| Moderate | 6 to 9 | 41 to 80 | 22.1 to 57.7 | 15.5 to 40.4 |
| Unhealthy for sensitive groups | 3 to 5 | 81 to 175 | 57.8 to 93.4 | 40.5 to 65.4 |
| Unhealthy | 1.5 to 2.5 | 176 to 300 | 93.5 to 214.9 | 65.5 to 150.4 |
| Very unhealthy | 0.9 to 1.4 | 301 to 500 | 215.0 to 357.7 | 150.5 to 250.4 |
| Hazardous | 0.8 or less | Over 500 | Over 357.7 | Over 250.5 |
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