Landfill fire and airborne aerosols in a large city: lessons learned and future needs

Abstract

Landfill fires are relatively frequent incidents that can result in severe environmental impacts. On the morning of January 15, 2016, a fire occurred at the Santa Marta landfill (Lf) in the metropolitan area of Santiago (SMA), Chile. The fire triggered public alarm. In the present work, the impact of the landfill fire on the air quality of the SMA and the possible impacts on human health are analyzed. According to the information collected, the fire began after a collapse in the landfill on January 15, 2016. The fire could not be controlled by the Lf operating company, and authorities acted late in responding. The results revealed that at the focal point of the fire, particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) reached concentration levels on the order of 1000 μg m⁻³. Three days after the start of the fire, hourly PM_2.5 concentration levels above 200 μg m⁻³ were recorded, at a distance approximately 20 km northeast of where the fire occurred. The PM_2.5 concentration levels recommended for the protection of the health of vulnerable persons were subsequently exceeded. These results suggest that a preventive measure should have been the evacuation of the most pollution-sensitive population. An inappropriate management of the emergency was demonstrated. Legislation should be improved by stipulating which sanitary Lfs should be equipped with firefighting equipment. Territorial planning should be improved by considering geographic and meteorological aspects.

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