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Home > jLPHA > Vol. 5 (2025) > No. 1 (2025)

 

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Abstract

Background: This brief report presents data characterizing air quality throughout the New Orleans area in the hours before, during and after the Carson Six fire in DeSoto National Park, Mississippi (October 2024). Fine, respirable particulate matter (PM2.5) is the air pollutant of greatest concern to public health from wildfire smoke as it can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, where it can have a detrimental effect on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Methods: Ambient air concentration measurements were collected continuously using the AirBeam3 sensor at five locations throughout the New Orleans area during the month of October 2025. Results: Air quality in New Orleans declined significantly during the wildfire (p=0.0011). Average hourly PM2.5 air concentrations at sensor locations remained above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) PM2.5 24-Hour Guidance Value of 15 μg/m3 for approximately 7 hours; and above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) PM2.5 24-Hour Standard of 35 μg/m3 for < 1 hour. Conclusions: Wildfires can cause widespread regional impacts to environmental quality and health outcomes. Susceptible individuals should be advised to wear N95 masks during regional wildfires to reduce smoke exposure.

DOI

10.59020/07652

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