Concentración de material particulado sedimentable para la determinación del grado de contaminación de aire en la Av. Confraternidad, Cantón Pelileo.

Abstract

The increase in air pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems caused by natural and anthropogenic activities. The research proposed to determine the concentration of sedimentable particulate matter at nine points along La Confraternidad Avenue in the Pelileo canton, through the application of passive monitoring for one month as established by current Ecuadorian environmental regulations and the World Health Organization, as well as the use of scanning electron microscopy. This monitoring was carried out in December 2021. The final conclusion was that the highest concentration of settleable particulate matter that did not comply with the maximum limit established by the World Health Organization, which is 0,5 mg/cm²/month, was at point one of the Benitez Roundel, where the value found was 0,59 mg/cm²/month, point five of the Andersson Jeans Laundry and Dry Cleaner's with 0,51 mg/cm²/month, and point six of the Lavaclassic Laundry and Dry Cleaner's with 0,52 mg/cm²/month. However, when comparing the results with the maximum limit allowed by current Ecuadorian environmental regulations, the nine points monitored do comply with the provisions of this legal body. For the chemical composition of the sedimentable atmospheric dust samples, a total of 18 chemical elements were obtained with large percentages of O= 55,07 %, C= 14,06%, Si= 16,37 %, Rb= 9,61 % and N= 9,15 %, while for the physical analysis spheres, ellipses, rounded, cubes, irregular shapes or fractal geometry, angular and porous plates of sizes greater than 10 μm were obtained. At the same time, the dispersion of sedimentable particulate matter was determined by means of wind direction maps, using data from the meteorological stations of Huambaló and Guadalupe in the Pelileo canton, obtaining preliminary information that the highest concentration was at point one of the Benítez traffic circle. Finally, in order to know how the health of the people on Confraternidad Avenue has been affected, a survey of 169 people was conducted. It is emphasized that 89% of the population knows about the issue of sedimentable particulate matter, as well as the effects that this generates on people's health. The 96% of the people mentioned that they have been affected by the existing SPM and the highest type of health problem was allergies with 62% and that the reason for these harmful reactions, according to 48% of the population, is the activity of the industrial sector. In turn, 100% of the population does not know if the canton of Pelileo has a plan to improve ambient air quality, and 94% of the population indicates that the competent authorities should take measures to reduce air pollution in the Confraternity Avenue sector.