Impacts of Sugarcane Fires on Air Quality and Public Health in South Florida

BACKGROUND: Preharvest burning of sugarcane is a common agricultural practice in Florida, which produces fine particulate matter [particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameter [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text])] that is associated with higher mortality. OBJECTIVES: We estimated premature mortality associated with exposure to [Formula: see text] from sugarcane burning in people age 25 y and above for 20 counties in South Florida. METHODS: We combined information from an atmospheric dispersion model, satellites, and surface measurements to quantify [Formula: see text] concentrations in South Florida and the fraction of [Formula: see text] from sugarcane fires. From these concentrations, estimated mortalities attributable to [Formula: see text] from sugarcane fires were calculated by census tract using health impact functions derived from literature for six causes of death linked to [Formula: see text]. Confidence intervals (CI) are provided based on Monte Carlo simulations that propagate uncertainty in the emissions, dispersion model, health impact functions, and demographic data. RESULTS: Sugarcane fires emitted an amount of primary [Formula: see text] similar to that of motor vehicles in Florida. [Formula: see text] from sugarcane fires is estimated to contribute to mortality rates within the Florida Sugarcane Growing Region (SGR) by 0.4 death per 100,000 people per year (95% CI: 0.3, 1.6 per 100,000). These estimates imply 2.5 deaths per year across South Florida were associated with [Formula: see text] from sugarcane fires (95% CI: 1.2, 6.1), with 0.16 in the SGR (95% CI: 0.09, 0.6) and 0.72 in Palm Beach County (95% CI: 0.17, 2.2). DISCUSSION: [Formula: see text] from sugarcane fires was estimated to contribute to mortality risk across South Florida, particularly in the SGR. This is consistent with prior studies that documented impacts of sugarcane fire on air quality but did not quantify mortality. Additional health impacts of sugarcane fires, which were not quantified here, include exacerbating nonfatal health conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular problems. Harvesting sugarcane without field burning would likely reduce [Formula: see text] and health burdens in this region. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9957