A Year Air Quality Measures, 2016, and Risk Communication in Morelia City, Michoacan, Mexico

Abstract

Background The World Health Organization mentions that bad air quality causes 7 million premature deaths in the world associated to lung and heart diseases. Air pollution also affects ecosystems. The sources of air pollution is related with local economy, overloaded motor vehicle traffic, bad planning in urban zones and fuel consumption. Local geographic conditions and climate contributes to maintain good air quality breathing and with dispersion and accumulation of air pollutants. This is the first record of air quality in Morelia City, Mexico with local regulations. The study will establish control and risk communication assessment. Citizens do not considerate that bad air pollution is a threat. Methods Air quality measures during 365 days was done in around 2 km with TELEDYNE trade mark sensor tools for several pollutants and meteorological conditions, mainly, O 3, NO 2, SO 2, CO, PM 10, PM 2.5 . The data was revising with national law regulations on air quality. Results Particulate matter 2.5 )were 62.4 µg/m³ and 86.7 µg/m³ in 24 hours in April and May of 2016 (threshold levels is 45 µg/m 3 ); particulate matter 10 µm (PM 10 )was above 75 µg/m³ with highest values 160.7 µg/m³ since March through August, November and December, respectively. Ozone measures were above 0.095 ppm/hour with 0.920 ppm/hour in March, May and December in 2016. NO 2 and SO 2 were below threshold levels. Conclusions The highest air polluted months were March, April and May with particulate matter 10 µm, 2.5 µm and ozone in this zone of Morelia and their sources are by overloaded car traffic and forest fires on the landside mountains near from Morelia. April and May were the hottest months than ever registered before from NASA, NOAA reports and our air quality station. Local authorities must send early warnings on air quality in media access.