The ?Red Metropolitana de Monitoreo Atmosférico? of Quito (REMMAQ) has
two recent reports available regarding air quality in the city of
Quito, Ecuador. The tables are in Spanish. Here are the translations
of the relevant words so that you can understand the tables.
The following pollutants are monitored:
(PM ) material particulado fino = Fine Particulates
(NO ) óxidos de nitrógeno 2.5 = Nitrogen Dioxide
(SO ) dióxido de azufre = Sulphur Dioxide
(CO) monóxido de carbono = Carbon Monoxide
X 2 (O ) oxidantes fotoquímicos = Ozone
expresados como ozono
http://www.quito.gov.ec/varios/monatmosferico.htm
Here are the links to the Quito Air Quality Reports:
Monday July 19, 2004 to Sunday July 25, 2004.
Download here:
http://www.quito.gov.ec/varios/reporte_aire_1725jul04.pdf
Monday August 16, 2004 to Sunday August 22, 2004-09-07Semana del lunes 16 de
Download here:
http://www.quito.gov.ec/varios/Reporte%20IQCA%2025%2016-220804.pdf
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Legend
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Rating: 0 - 50
Color: White
Optimum, excellent conditions,
NO preventative measures necessary.
Rating: 50 - 100
Color: Green
Good, NO safety measures necessary
Rating: 100 - 200
Color: Grey
Precaution: Extremely sensitive individuals with chronic illnesses
(Asthmatics, individuals with allergies, cardiovascular disease and
immune deficiciencies must take precautions.
Rating: 201 - 300
Color: Yellow
Alert: Not healthy for sensible individuals.
Preventative measures necessary for people with allergies, respiratory
or cardiovascular disease. Avoid going outdoors.
Rating: 301 - 400
Color: Orange
Alarm: Population must take precautions.
Limit outdoor activity (only strictly necessary)
Rating: 401 - 500
Color: Red
Emergency: Everyone must remain indoors.
Emergencies are the only exception
http://www.quito.gov.ec/varios/monatmosferico.htm
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Health consequences
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PARTICULATE MATTER
?Air pollutants called particulate matter include dust, dirt, soot,
smoke and liquid droplets directly emitted into the air by sources
such as factories, power plants, cars, construction activity, fires
and natural windblown dust. Particles formed in the atmosphere by
condensation or the transformation of emitted gases such as SO2 and
VOCs are also considered particulate matter.?
?Based on studies of human populations exposed to high concentrations of
particles (sometimes in the presence of SO2) and laboratory studies of
animals and humans, there are major effects of concern for human health.
These include effects on breathing and respiratory symptoms, aggravation of
existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, alterations in the body's
defense systems against foreign materials, damage to lung tissue,
carcinogenesis and premature death. The major subgroups of the population
that appear to be most sensitive to the effects of particulate matter include
individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary or cardiovascular disease or
influenza, asthmatics, the elderly and children.?
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
?Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a brownish, highly reactive gas that is
present in all urban atmospheres. NO2 can irritate the lungs, cause
bronchitis and pneumonia, and lower resistance to respiratory infections.?
SULFUR DIOXIDE
?High concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) affect breathing and may
aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Sensitive
populations include asthmatics, individuals with bronchitis or emphysema,
children and the elderly.?
CARBON MONOXIDE
?Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas produced
by incomplete burning of carbon in fuels. When CO enters the bloodstream, it
reduces the delivery of oxygen to the body's organs and tissues. Health
threats are most serious for those who suffer from cardiovascular disease,
particularly those with angina or peripheral vascular disease. Exposure to
elevated CO levels can cause impairment of visual perception, manual
dexterity, learning ability and performance of complex tasks.?
OZONE
?Ozone (O3) is a photochemical oxidant and the major component of smog.?
?The reactivity of O3 causes health problems because it damages lung
tissue, reduces lung function and sensitizes the lungs to other irritants.
Scientific evidence indicates that ambient levels of O3 not only affect
people with impaired respiratory systems, such as asthmatics, but healthy
adults and children as well. Exposure to O3 for several hours at relatively
low concentrations has been found to significantly reduce lung function and
induce respiratory inflammation in normal, healthy people during exercise.
This decrease in lung function generally is accompanied by symptoms including
chest pain, coughing, sneezing and pulmonary congestion?
EPA
http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/greenbk/o3co.html
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Fine Particulates: What They Are and How They Affect Us
?Recent studies have found that fine particulates at current levels
can pose a greater danger to our health than the better-known kinds of
air pollution, such as smog, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Fine
particulates are linked with all sorts of health problems ? from a
runny nose and coughing, to bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and even
death.?
http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/air/particulates/fpwtaaht.html
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Search terms used:
"Air pollution" Quito
Calidad del aire Quito
I hope you find this information useful!
Best regards,
Bobbie7 |
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