Environmental Pollution in Lima | How harmful is the air in Lima?Its association with bronchitis and asthma attacks | Lima | Senanci | Minza | Peru

In this sense, such as Lima City Government and the Peruvian National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (Senancy) to take action to avoid high levels of carbon dioxide in the environment.

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How is the air quality in Metropolitan Lima determined?

he Senancy It has installed nine air quality monitoring stations that monitor in real time the concentrations of six pollutant molecules that can cause fatal damage to health if their percentages increase. stone bridge, Carabayo, San Martin de Porez, saint john of lurigancho, tie, santa anita, jesus mary, san borja and Villa Maria del Triunfo They are the areas controlled by the agency.

“Data provided by the monitoring stations is collected daily for forecasts or monthly for bulletins.This information is used to understand how air concentration Effect of month and meteorological variables,” said environmental analyst Dayana Acuña. Senancy.

What are the particulate matter that threatens health? Where do they come from?

Gestión also spoke with Oscar Gayoso, a pulmonary specialist at the hospital. Ministry of Health. He pointed out that the air in Lima contains harmful particles from different sources that increase the incidence because they are the beginning of the disease. Cardiovascular diseaseshe lung cancer, respiratory infection and has been linked to some negative effects during pregnancy.

“when you talk about environmental pollution We refer to small particles floating in the environment, which are the product of atmospheric spasms. Fossil fuels,Whether it is coal, oil, waste anyone insecticide, which are in the environment. The denser these particles are, the easier they are to affect objects. lung healthr”.

• Power plants, industry, vehicles, wood stoves and forest fires emit fine particles (up to 2.5 microns in diameter).
• Coarse particles (2.5 to 10 microns) are the result of grinding and crushing operations, road dust and certain agricultural practices.

Pulmonologists advise the elderly or children under the age of 5 to use masks when going out on the streets,”Like the ones we’re using in COVID-19 so the particles are filtered out and don’t reach the lungs“.

“The problem is particulate matter, because It can generate images resembling acute bronchitis, infection, asthma attack or even severe decompensation. Asthma patients may decompensate and experience respiratory failure,alarm.

In the case of pregnant women, the particles they inhale can irritate and damage the lungs, he said. “c.They contain a range of pollutants that are harmful to them and the new life that is forming. Slow-growing children may be present in places with high air pollution.“.

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What solutions have been proposed to reduce environmental pollution?

Pamela Taboada is the company’s associate manager of environmental management Lima City Governmentshowing that air quality comparisons are made within a national framework, which is why different solutions are proposed to prevent air quality from rising. environmental pollution.

“We have implemented cycle lanes and this action is reflected in local climate change plans.We also work with the region on campaigns like Breathe Clean and different projects to bring people closer“, said the expert.

• “Breathe clean” campaign:

One of the main initiatives of the program Lima City Government This is the “Breathe Clean” campaign, and for this campaign we’re connecting with other cities to determine vehicle emissions levels. In addition, it is expected to increase awareness of the health effects of toxic gases.

Municipalities such as olive tree, health, jesus mary, Carabayoet al joined the “breath clean” campaign. Even, thanks to the monitoring conducted by Senamhi, the municipality of Lima implemented this initiative in front of the Breña Children’s Hospital, which has a higher rate of air pollution compared to other locations.

“It was also called in to support the police for the campaign.All it does is measure so the owner knows how much degree of pollution. It must be taken into account that every vehicle is required to obtain a vehicle registration certificate, which is sometimes obtained irregularly and continues to cause pollution.Finally, both pedestrians and drivers become sensitive’, Taboada said.

• Implementation of electric buses:

Stressed benefits matter electric bus, unlike vehicles that burn with gasoline or diesel.The latter produces significant CO2 emissions by burning this fuel; however, that Electric Buses and Trucks They are 100% emission-free.

In October 2022, Sociedad Eléctrica del Sur Oeste (SEAL), which leads the rollout of electric vehicles in southern Peru, announced that it will power the 156 electric buses that will be included in Modasa, which will be on the roads of Lima and Peru. Arequipa.

“Within the framework of the Integrated Transport System Plan for the Province and Municipality of Arequipa, we have signed an agreement with Íntegra and Enel X that will zero emission bus For public transport, SEAL we will assist you in paying your energy bills’” said Paul Rodriguez, the SEAL general manager at the time.

Initially, 114 units will arrive, and subsequently, they will bring the following units, which will be powered by a power station installed by the company:“We will place 32 plugs to ensure continuity of service 24 hours a day and to ensure that these buses travel across the city.It will be the first main line in South America to be powered by electric bus’, said the manager.

However, when Gestión spoke to the city’s services manager, Roberto Pérez Lima City Governmentexpressed as follows:

“The corridor system uses natural gas, the Lima market does not support it, but what is being done is the entire corridor system uses natural gas buses.Few are able to move electrically“.

• More bicycle use and creation of bike lanes in Lima:

this Lima City Government The Compañía Peruana de Estudios de Mercados y Opinión Pública (CPI) conducted a study on the use of bicycles in the capital and found that: “220,000 inhabitants

lime Frequently use bicycles as a means of transportation, i.e. 3%Respondents indicated that they prefer to use public transport to travel between regions; however, they are encouraged to primarily use bicycles for short trips.

“one of the main air pollutants This is the transportation department.It is recommended to implement more electric car And increase bicycle use.Migrating to other types of moves”, moving experts from Senancy. Therefore, in order to allow citizens to avoid using motor vehicles, maintain urban air quality. environmentThe government has since instituted a series of provisions to promote the use of bicycles as a sustainable means of transport.

Published articles include “National Bicycle Day”, promoting road safety education and the use of bicycles in educational institutions, modifying road structures to facilitate bicycle use, establishing bicycle parking lots, etc.

To this end, the Lima city government has invested S$82 million in 45 projects that will add 109.16 kilometers of bike lanes in various districts. Some will consolidate existing routes, others will create new service areas, such as the San Juan de Lurigancho area.

about the author

reporter. Bachelor from San Martin de Porez University with experience in digital media. Currently, I am a web writer in the field of management with a strong interest in economic issues and finance.