Humo

Humo is the Spanish word for smoke, the visible aerosol produced by incomplete combustion of a material. It consists of a gas phase containing compounds such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, and a particulate phase that includes soot and organic carbon. The appearance ranges from pale gray to dense black, often with acrid or sweet odors depending on the fuel and conditions.

Sources include residential heating and cooking with solid fuels, wildfires and agricultural burning, industrial processes and vehicle exhaust, and certain volcanic or geothermal emissions. The exact composition varies with the material burned and the temperature, and can change as the smoke ages in the atmosphere.

Health and environmental effects: exposure to humo can irritate eyes, nose and throat and worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions. Fine particles (PM2.5) pose particular risks as they can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Smoke also reduces visibility and contributes to air pollution, with climate effects through the emission of black carbon and other greenhouse gases.

Measurement and safety: air-quality indices monitor humo-related pollutants. Reducing exposure includes avoiding outdoor activities during heavy smoke, using air filtration indoors, sealing buildings if needed, and adopting cleaner burning practices and emissions controls to minimize smoke production at the source.