Air Pollution Exceeds Acceptable Limit, Threatens Life in Brazil’s Midwest

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Pollution in the Brazilian Midwest has reached alarming levels. UOL’s “OtaLab” last Thursday, September 17th, reported on the situation that has been caused by the fires in the Pantanal, which have escalated since last month.

According to data from Lapis (Laboratory of Analysis and Processing of Satellite Imagery), linked to the UFAL (Federal University of Alagoas), the level of carbon monoxide (CO) in some cities reached over 1,700 ppm (part per million) – the tolerable rate for humans is up to 50 ppm. This represents an increase of 3.360 percent beyond the ideal in some points.

Hugo Fernandes, biologist and professor at the UECE (State University of Ceará), explained that the scenario can entail risks to people’s lives.

“The more CO in the region, the less oxygen is available. Above 200 ppm we can have serious health symptoms, particularly for people with comorbidities. When we reach such high levels, the impact extends to anyone. We can expect human deaths from this pollution, and this needs to be addressed very carefully and very urgently,” he said.

The risk also extends to animals and other living beings. “Wildlife is already being directly impacted by the fires, but some groups, like birds, may die when in contact with the smoke.”

The biologist further said that the high level of pollution helps create a cycle that impacts the whole environment and encourages the development of new fires.

The Pantanal region is experiencing its largest fires of the past six years, according to INPE (National Institute of Space Research). Currently, the destruction affects almost three million hectares (an area the size of Belgium).

Source: UOL