This commentary article highlights the important role of black carbon produced from biomass burning in the global carbon cycle. Consideration of the fundamental chemistry and thermokinetics of cellulose thermal decomposition suggests that suppression of biomass burning or biasing burning practices to produce soot-free flames must inevitably transfer more carbon to the atmosphere. A simple order...

Dynamic changes of rat corneal epithelium and stroma after alkali burning were observed with the electron microscope. The neovascularization process in the stroma was almost the same as that observed after burning by heat. Reversible changes of the epithelial cells occurred throughout the course of wound healing. Approximately 10 days after burning, cells in deeper layers of the epithelium show...

Phytodermatoses are skin lesions secondary to prolonged contact with certain herbs. Many plants have been described responsible for this type of incident. Mrs. H., 50 years old, without pathological history, presented at the consultation for a sharp pain in the face, without any functional sign. The questioning found the application of a poultice, advised by a neighbor, containing the "Artemisi...

Fall is burning season in the wheat fields of eastern Washington State. To prepare for planting in 1998, farmers burned about 229,000 acres of wheat stubble, an increase over recent years. Although a tighter state permitting system substantially reduced the acreage burned in 1999, dean air activitists are concerned that the state has not tightened up enough. The fires are used to help control c...

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a chronic disorder that predominately affects middle-aged women in the postmenopausal period. The condition is distinguished by burning symptoms of the oral mucosa and the absence of any clinical signs. The etiology of BMS is complex and it includes a variety of factors. Local, systemic and psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression are listed a...

In the past a poor quality residue was frequently excused and accepted when incoming refuse had a high moisture content. This is no longer permissable. Means of coping with the wet refuse problem are summarized, based on reports from operators of IS municipal incinerators of various types, sizes and ages. The author's comments and conclusions are included.

Ungrazed tallgrass prairie plots in the Kansas Flint Hills have been burned annually at 4 different dates since 1928. Time of burning markedly altered the physiognomy and was the crucial factor effecting vegetation change. Late-spring burning, coinciding with emergence of the warm-season perennial grasses, increased grass production and favored Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans. Burnin...

Agricultural (Ag) burning is a cost-effective method of cleaning and preparing the field for the succeeding growth season. However, smoke from Ag burning may contain various air pollutants, which may cause or exacerbate respiratory disease. However, the short-duration excursions of Ag burning smoke often do not violate the National Ambient Air Quality Standards at locations where air quality mo...

Background: Cataracts are the leading diseases that cause blindness. Cataracts can be treated with surgery. Pain, itching, burning, and a foreign body sensation in the eye are common ocular complaints of patients in recovery. In this study, we compared the effect of Ketorolac eye drops and naphazoline antazoline eye drops on reducing complaints of surgery. Methods: This randomized clinical tri...

The local and regional impacts of open fires and trash burning on ground-level ozone (O3) and fine carbonaceous aerosols in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) and surrounding region during two high fire periods in March 2006 have been evaluated using WRFCHEM model. The model captured reasonably well the measurement-derived magnitude and temporal variation of the biomass burning organic ae...