During the summer of 2002, Colorado experienced its worst fire season
in recent history. When forests burn, various gases and
particles are released into the air. The focus of this study was to
measure the effect of nearby fires on indoor and outdoor PM 2.5 levels,
and to determine the effectiveness of smoke mitigation measures. Once a
fire occured, equipment would be taken to nearby towns for experiments. Residents
were asked to close windows and turn on air cleaners. Our research found that
air cleaners reduced indoor smoke by 80%, that closing windows reduced PM 2.5
by 18-50%, and that indoor and outdoor background measurements were very similar.
During the summer of 2002, Colorado experienced its worst fire season
in recent history. When forests burn, various gases and
particles are released into the air. The focus of this study was to
measure the effect of nearby fires on indoor and outdoor PM 2.5 levels,
and to determine the effectiveness of smoke mitigation measures. Once a
fire occured, equipment would be taken to nearby towns for experiments. Residents
were asked to close windows and turn on air cleaners. Our research found that
air cleaners reduced indoor smoke by 80%, that closing windows reduced PM 2.5
by 18-50%, and that indoor and outdoor background measurements were very similar.