As forest fires are increasing in prevalence and intensity there is a need for miniaturized, lower cost, and easily portable air sensors that provide information to first responders, public health managers and communities so informed, timely decisions can be made. PM2.5 is an accepted standard for particulate matter (PM) measurements, but PM2.5 mass measurements cannot identify sources without analyzing samples in the laboratory. In near-source biomass and wildland fire environments, Black Carbon (BC) and Organic Carbon are a significant portion of PM and are major contributors to the PM2.5 burden in the air. BC has been identified as one of the key constituents of PM2.5 likely a causal agent of respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Carbonaceous particles, a byproduct of combustion, do not estimate total PM2.5 therefore an instrument that measures BC, UVPM, PM1 , PM2.5, PM10, particle size and count, calculates BC/ PM2.5 ratios and distinguishes between wood/biomass smoke and diesel emissions, has clear advantages. This proposal integrates the Aethlabs microAeth MA350, additional PM and CO2 sensors and evaluates additional CO2, CO, Ozone and NO2 sensors which together can help to identify contributions of carbonaceous species and smoldering vs. flaming combustion emissions to total PM2.5 mass.
