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Particles emitted from smouldering peat: size-resolved composition and emission factors
Amy L Wilson1, Wuquan Cui2, Yuqi Hu2,3
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London London UK m.stettler@imperial.ac.uk.
Environmental Science: Atmospheres
|February 17, 2025
Summary
Smouldering peat fires release fine particles (PM2.5) containing harmful metals. This study details peat fire particle properties, crucial for understanding health risks from smoke inhalation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- Peat fires contribute to haze and air pollution.
- Wildfire smoke inhalation is linked to increased health issues.
- Limited data exists on peat fire particle properties and their health impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physicochemical characteristics of particles from Irish peat fires.
- To understand the size distribution, morphology, and chemical composition of these particles.
- To assess the potential health risks associated with inhaling peat smoke.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory study of smouldering Irish peat.
- Measurement of particle emission factors (EFs), size distribution, and morphology.
- Chemical analysis of particle-bound metals using transmission electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Fine particles (PM2.5) comprised 91% of total particle mass.
- Mass EF was 12.52 ± 1.40 g kg⁻¹.
- Particles contained irregular metal, spherical sulfate, and carbonaceous types, with detected carcinogenic metals.
Conclusions:
- Peat fire particles, particularly PM2.5, contain significant levels of potentially harmful metals.
- Understanding these size-resolved characteristics is vital for assessing near-source human exposure risks.
- This research provides a baseline for comparing peat fire emissions.
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