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Air quality by inhalable particulate matter (PM10) in five urban centers in South America

Authors :
Thiago Souza Silveira
Renata Reis dos Santos
Fernando Mussa Abujamra Aith
Nelson Gouveia
Source :
Revista Brasileira de Ciências Ambientais, Vol 58, Iss 2, Pp 241-250 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Associação Brasileira de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, 2023.

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze the records of the inhalable particulate matter PM10 from 2002 to 2018 in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre (Brazil), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Buenos Aires (Argentina), verifying if they were within the established limits and if the air quality reports, produced in each city, were contextualizing air pollution with relevant legislation and geographic factors. For this, we downloaded the air quality reports from websites of environmental agencies that, in accordance with their laws, are obligated to publish them. After reading, it was pointed out: the publication formats, if geographic factors were addressed in air quality analyses, the legal bases for the diagnosis, as well as which of them were more tolerant with air pollution, and the frequency they published their data and their justifications. Next, a comparison of the annual average and maximum in 24 hours PM10 records was performed. Therefore, we found that São Paulo presented the most complete document and Buenos Aires the least comprehensive. Rio de Janeiro exceeded PM10 tolerance limits several times, and Montevideo has the least polluted air quality. Only Buenos Aires did not address geographic factors as a form of analysis or suggestions. Finally, it is suggested that Porto Alegre and Buenos Aires should increase their data collection networks. The poor performance of some cities make it difficult to accomplish the task to transform them in more sustainable and healthy places.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
18084524 and 21769478
Volume :
58
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Revista Brasileira de Ciências Ambientais
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.6d126cd94f6b482d81e09789debd5eb6
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.5327/Z2176-94781628