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Acre has recorded critical episodes of air pollution during the fire season, with rates that, on certain days, exceed those observed in cities such as São Paulo and New Delhi. The scenario gained repercussion after a video published by content creator Marina Guaragna, who is in the state and reported the situation on social media.
In the publication, the influencer highlights that the phenomenon is neither isolated nor considered natural in the Amazon. According to her, the problem results from a combination of factors that occur every year, such as prolonged drought, low air humidity, little wind circulation and, mainly, human action.
In this context, the release of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, worries health authorities. These particles are microscopic and can penetrate deep into the lungs, reaching the bloodstream. In more critical situations, cities in Acre have already recorded concentrations exceeding 300 µg/m³, which could reach 400 µg/m³, well above the limit considered safe by the World Health Organization, which is up to 15 µg/m³ on a daily average.
Furthermore, comparison with large urban centers helps to assess the severity of the problem. While places like São Paulo experience more constant pollution, in Acre the peaks are more intense and concentrated in a short period, which increases the health impacts, especially for those who are not adapted to these conditions.
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Another associated phenomenon is the so-called “black rain”, which occurs when soot and carbon particles present in the atmosphere are carried away by rain, making visible a type of pollution that was previously being inhaled invisibly.
According to the creator, popular comparisons, such as the equivalence between breathing this air and smoking cigarettes, are not literal, but help to measure the level of exposure faced by the population.
Finally, experts reinforce that the situation should not be treated as an inevitable characteristic of the region. Most fires originate from human activities linked to agricultural expansion and the use of fire to manage areas. Therefore, episodes of extreme pollution reflect decisions that directly impact air quality and the health of the population.
