Why Ho Chi Minh City's pollution sources may have been misread for years

Biomass burning, including the combustion of wood, charcoal and agricultural residues, is a major source of PM2.5, a fine particulate matter that degrades air quality and poses risks to human health.

Much of this pollution is tracked by looking at levels of levoglucosan, a chemical that is formed when cellulose in plants is burned, from biomass combustion such as residential fuel use, cooking and open burning. ...