THE PROBLEM: BURNING
HEALTH IMPACTS
Sugarcane burning emissions have a negative impact on public health in areas downwind of the fields. Research evaluating the impact of sugarcane burning on public health has consistently shown a direct or indirect effect on two domains: cancer and respiratory disease. The effects were noticeably pronounced in children and the elderly.
First, sugar field burning contributes to particulate matter pollution. Particle pollution — especially fine particles — contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including: premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing. Source: https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution
In addition, in 2010, researchers from the University of Florida conducted a study sponsored by the Palm Beach County Health Department to determine emission factors for various toxins coming from pre-harvest sugar cane burning and identified contaminants on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air pollutant list. Emissions factors were determined for a number of harmful air pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbonyl and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as fine particle particulates (PM2.5, or particulates with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less), organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) in a combustion chamber. The researchers detected hazardous air pollutants the EPA is required to regulate, including naphthalene, formaldehyde, benzene and styrene. These toxins can cause impacts ranging from drowsiness and headaches to neurological and liver damage. Source: http://lasher.ouhsc.edu/paper/SugarcaneAE.pdf
The medical research to date paints a compelling picture. Please contact us to request full texts:
December 2016 – AGRICULTURAL FIRES AND INFANT HEALTH
November 2016 – Particulate matter produced during commercial sugarcane harvesting and processing: A respiratory health hazard?
April 2016 – Black Carbon and Particulate Organic Toxics Emitted by Sugarcane Burning in Veracruz, México
October 2015 – Association between sugar cane burning and acute respiratory illness on the island of Maui
http://stopsugarburning.org/the-problem/