The study estimates the effects in terms of health risk to be between $9 million and $12 million, with 95 percent of the impact related to increases in mortality risk, restricted activity days, lost wages, and acute respiratory symptoms.
Using satellite imagery and monitoring stations, the researchers studied the effect of 2001 fire in Chisholm, Alberta, and the contributions of the fire to concentrations of particulate matter in the air. The researchers found the particulate matter to be well above the air quality guidelines for Canada.