Smoke, alert! The invisible threat of agricultural burning

Authors

  • Lizbeth Carrillo Arizmendi Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales (ICAR), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEMEX). El Cerrillo Piedras Blancas, Estado de México 50200, México https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2648-5208
  • Marlín Pérez Suárez Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9996-4771
  • García Martínez García Martínez Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Valle de Bravo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59741/ttbar142

Keywords:

Particles, particulate matter, human health, fire, forest fires

Abstract

In the context of the interaction between natural systems and human activities, seasonal agricultural burning represents a phenomenon with significant impacts on public health and the environment. In addition to the immediate risk associated with uncontrolled fires, there are less obvious threats, such as the long-term consequences on human health due to exposure to invisible pollutants. During these events, the smoke generated, a complex mixture of gases and fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particles, varies in composition depending on the type of material burned and the combustion conditions. Particulate matter, especially the finest particles (PM2.5), is inhalable and can become deeply embedded in the lungs, contributing to various health problems. Reported effects include acute and chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and gastrointestinal conditions. These impacts are intensified in rural and peri-urban areas where agricultural residue burning is common, highlighting the need to raise public awareness of the risks involved. This document analyzes the main socio-environmental impacts associated with the burning of agricultural biomass, to raise public awareness of the urgency of promoting alternative agricultural practices that minimize dependence on this technique, thus mitigating its detrimental effects on health and the environment.

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Author Biographies

  • Marlín Pérez Suárez, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México

    Dr. Marlín Pérez Suárez is a Biologist by UNAM, Master in Forestry Sciences by the Colegio de Postgraduados, and Doctor in Environmental Sciences by the Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, A.C. She is part of the Academic Body of Conservation and Management of Natural Resources of the Institute of Agricultural and Rural Sciences of the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, to which she is attached. She is part of the National System of Researchers Level I. Her research work has focused on Ecology and Biogeochemistry as bases for the study of the impact of global change factors (pollution, land use change, climate change) on the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems and agroecosystems.

     

  • García Martínez García Martínez, Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Valle de Bravo

    Dr. René García Martínez is a native of Amanalco, State of Mexico. He holds a degree in Agroindustrial Engineering from the Universidad Autónoma Chapingo. He attended postgraduate studies in Agricultural Sciences at the Colegio de Postgraduados. He teaches at TECNM-TES in Valle de Bravo and externally advises agricultural and forestry production projects. He is a member of the SNII, Mexican Carbon Program Research Network, National Network of Education and Teaching of Soil Science, Mexican Network of Plant Physiology and the Mexican Network of Hydrographic Basins. It conducts scientific research in the areas of Horticultural Sciences, Plant Physiology, Soil Physiology, Soil Science, Forestry Resources, Ecology, Agronomy and Agroindustrial Engineering.

     

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Published

2025-03-08

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 1 (2025): Enero-Abril de 2025

Section

Artículos de divulgación

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Copyright (c) 2025 Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Smoke, alert! The invisible threat of agricultural burning. (2025). Agraria, 22(1), 5-9. https://doi.org/10.59741/ttbar142

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