How polluted is the air we breathe

Preliminary results of the monitoring program air quality Data from the Córdoba municipal government shows that the city’s air quality is generally good.

According to data obtained from monitoring stations installed in different parts of the city, the air quality index (AQI) is in the “good” or “moderate” category most of the time.

So far in October, San Martin Reserve, CPC Centro América, CPC Colón, City Hall and CPC Barrio Jardín have received ICA values ​​without health risks.

In CPC Empalme, 37% of the values ​​obtained in the 19 days of this month were classified as moderate, and 69% of the values ​​obtained showed no health risks.

Environment Director Guillermo Díaz Cornejo clarified: “In order to draw conclusions, it is important to observe annual measurements, which allow us to identify patterns according to time zones and sectors.”

“The real value of this initiative is that it will give the city a tool it didn’t have before to fully manage the quality of the air the city’s residents breathe,” the official added.

Director of Environmental Impact Assessment and Climate Change Laura Rovetto commented that with the advantages of the fleet, the extension of the city, especially the geographical characteristics of its central area with different altitudes and the concentration of high-rise buildings, according to the calculated index, the scientific The air quality in Erdoba is good.

“At most monitoring stations, during the reporting period, the measured concentration of 2.5 micron particles did not exceed the limit of 50 µg/m3, below which the air is classified as good,” he noted.

“Only one monitoring station had slightly higher values ​​for the percentage of days (lower), but still of medium quality. In no case did values ​​exceed 100 µg/m3, which indicates unhealthy air for sensitive groups,” he added.

The official stressed that these were measurements taken simultaneously at multiple locations in the city, so an overview or map of the air quality index could be determined.

The information will be posted monthly on the city’s Open Government website, and a tool is being developed to allow real-time access to the data.

What is ICA

ICA is a measure of air quality based on pollution levels. It is calculated based on measurements of five basic pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), tropospheric ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM 2.5).

ICA can take values ​​between 0 and 500 units. The higher the AQI value, the higher the level of air pollution and the greater the concern about health effects.

It is divided into six categories according to the degree of contamination: Good: 0 to 50; Moderate, 51 to 100; Unhealthy for sensitive groups, 101 to 150; Unhealthy, 151 to 200; Very unhealthy, 201 to 300; Dangerous, 301 to 500.

It was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Usepa) to provide a daily report on urban air pollution in an easy-to-understand way.

team

The new monitoring station uses cutting-edge equipment to collect a wide range of data including temperature, humidity and particulate matter PM10, 4.0, 2.5 and 1.0 levels.

These suspended components are classified from large to small in size and affect people’s health to varying degrees. PM10 is mainly dust, pollen and mold, which often cause allergic reactions, bronchitis and asthma attacks. PM2.5 and PM0.1 are smaller and pose greater risks to respiratory health.

The equipment is manufactured by the local company Onsen, which brings together professionals from the National Technical University.

They connect to cellular networks and can monitor information from sensors in real time. The data is uploaded to the cloud and processed and visualized through computer systems.

Two more stations will be installed this week. One is located on CPC Route 20 and the other is located at the Dionisi Museum.

Respira Córdoba plans to invest US$4.7 million. The initiative was proposed by Mayor Martín Llaryora and is supported by the European Union (EU), the Office of the Mayor of Córdoba (Spain) and is implemented by the Secretariat of Planning, Modernization and International Relations and its municipal pairs. Environmental stewardship and sustainability.

It must be remembered that Córdoba was a pioneer in the 1990s, when Rubén Américo Martí ruled the city. Environmental observatories were set up and permanent air monitoring began, which was an advanced policy at the time.