Environmental and Health Impacts of Sugarcane Burning under Strong-Wind Conditions in the Buddharaksa Community
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2026
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| _version_ | 1866902066925928448 |
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| author | NIMMAHNRATANAKUL, LUNCHANAWAT |
| author_facet | NIMMAHNRATANAKUL, LUNCHANAWAT |
| contents | <p>This research analyzes the dynamics of pollution from sugarcane burning under strong wind conditions in the Buddharaksa Community Forest area, Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The landscape is situated within a natural wind corridor, resulting in significantly intensified dispersion of PM2.5 particulate matter and carbon soot compared to surrounding areas. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative data from PM2.5 measurements, wind direction and speed, sugarcane burning patterns and net economic returns of cash crops with qualitative data from interviews and field observations among vulnerable groups, including the elderly, young children, patients with chronic diseases and outdoor workers.</p> <p>The findings indicate that PM2.5 concentrations during the sugarcane harvesting season remain continuously above health safety standards for several weeks and increase by 1.8–3.2 times on strong wind days. Smoke can enter residential areas within a few minutes to approximately 10–25 minutes, depending on burning distance and wind conditions and can disperse as far as 8–12 kilometers. Health impacts are asymmetrically distributed, with vulnerable populations bearing the highest burden, including respiratory symptoms, exacerbation of chronic diseases and long-term health risks. Although sugarcane cultivation accounts for only 10–15% of the total cultivated area, it contributes more than 60–70% of the total pollution load in the study area.</p> <p>Structural analysis demonstrates that sugarcane burning does not arise from individual voluntary behavior but rather from systemic production constraints, including labor shortages, limited access to mechanical harvesting, topographic conditions and time constraints imposed by sugar factories. The research proposes integrated systemic strategies encompassing economic incentives, biomass management, spatial planning and protective measures for vulnerable populations. This study therefore provides empirical evidence of environmental inequality and supports spatially grounded policy formulation at both provincial and national levels based on robust data.</p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_18626671 |
| institution | Zenodo |
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| publishDate | 2026 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | Environmental and Health Impacts of Sugarcane Burning under Strong-Wind Conditions in the Buddharaksa Community NIMMAHNRATANAKUL, LUNCHANAWAT Sugarcane burning PM2.5 Black carbon Vulnerable groups Environmental injustice <p>This research analyzes the dynamics of pollution from sugarcane burning under strong wind conditions in the Buddharaksa Community Forest area, Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The landscape is situated within a natural wind corridor, resulting in significantly intensified dispersion of PM2.5 particulate matter and carbon soot compared to surrounding areas. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative data from PM2.5 measurements, wind direction and speed, sugarcane burning patterns and net economic returns of cash crops with qualitative data from interviews and field observations among vulnerable groups, including the elderly, young children, patients with chronic diseases and outdoor workers.</p> <p>The findings indicate that PM2.5 concentrations during the sugarcane harvesting season remain continuously above health safety standards for several weeks and increase by 1.8–3.2 times on strong wind days. Smoke can enter residential areas within a few minutes to approximately 10–25 minutes, depending on burning distance and wind conditions and can disperse as far as 8–12 kilometers. Health impacts are asymmetrically distributed, with vulnerable populations bearing the highest burden, including respiratory symptoms, exacerbation of chronic diseases and long-term health risks. Although sugarcane cultivation accounts for only 10–15% of the total cultivated area, it contributes more than 60–70% of the total pollution load in the study area.</p> <p>Structural analysis demonstrates that sugarcane burning does not arise from individual voluntary behavior but rather from systemic production constraints, including labor shortages, limited access to mechanical harvesting, topographic conditions and time constraints imposed by sugar factories. The research proposes integrated systemic strategies encompassing economic incentives, biomass management, spatial planning and protective measures for vulnerable populations. This study therefore provides empirical evidence of environmental inequality and supports spatially grounded policy formulation at both provincial and national levels based on robust data.</p> |
| title | Environmental and Health Impacts of Sugarcane Burning under Strong-Wind Conditions in the Buddharaksa Community |
| topic | Sugarcane burning PM2.5 Black carbon Vulnerable groups Environmental injustice |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18626671 |