Biomass Burning, Air Pollution and Human Health: From Local Episodes to Global Challenges

Biomass burning has emerged as a critical contributor to air pollution, exacerbating the already complex challenges posed by climate change. In recent decades, climate change has precipitated an increase in both the number and intensity of wildfires across the globe. These fires significantly elevate the concentration of fine particulate matter in affected areas and facilitate its transport to adjacent regions. The escalation in air pollution due to biomass burning events has profound implications for human health, particularly among vulnerable populations. It is linked to heightened hospitalizations and exacerbations of respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular conditions. Despite notable research efforts elucidating these connections, there remains a need for comprehensive investigation into the mechanisms by which biomass burning impacts human health, as well as the development of actionable strategies for mitigation and adaptation.

This Research Topic aims to amass a diverse collection of papers that explore the interplay between biomass burning, air pollution, and human health, both on local and global scales. By inviting contributions from various disciplines, including the exact, human, and biological sciences, the goal is to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue that enhances our understanding of these issues. Key objectives include examining the direct and indirect health impacts of biomass burning, refining existing models of pollutant dispersion, and proposing innovative interventions to mitigate health risks. Such research endeavors are anticipated to inform guidelines and policy decisions to address challenges posed by biomass burning activities across diverse geographical contexts.

To gather further insights into the multifaceted nature of biomass burning and its effects, we welcome articles within the boundaries of both disciplinary and interdisciplinary research. Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• The chemical and physical properties of emissions from biomass burning
• Health outcomes associated with exposure to biomass burning pollutants
• Modelling and prediction of smoke dispersion and air quality impacts
• Socioeconomic and demographic factors influencing vulnerability to air pollution
• Strategies for public health interventions and policy development

We encourage submissions spanning a variety of research types, from empirical case studies to critical analyses and interdisciplinary approaches, to provide a holistic understanding of this pressing issue.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Biomass Burning Events, Air Pollution, Human Health, Artificial Intelligence, Climate Modeling, Climate Change

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.