QUANTIFICATION OF IN-TRANSIT CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE IN MICRO-ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION FROM GLOBAL URBANIZATION– ACCESSING ITS EFFECTS ON PUBLIC WELFARE, GUATEMALAN

Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, yet poisonous gas that is emitted through natural and anthropogenic activities. In developing countries, such as Guatemala, a positive correlation between serious respiratory diseases and carbon monoxide emissions in the air is usually observed.
 Rapid urbanization of major cities with little to no legislature to regulate air pollution is thought to be a main source of carbon monoxide. To quantify in-transit levels of carbon monoxide, a venture was taken to Guatemala City, Guatemala’s most populated city, where levels of carbon monoxide were measured with an Easy Log USB to access the threat of these elevated CO levels. The study revealed that an enormous amount of CO was present in the city, especially in highly populated areas with motorized vehicles (up to mean level of 15ppm and peak level of ~95ppm). CO levels in these areas were high throughout the day due to the extreme lack of proper ventilation systems and environmental bylaws. For Guatemala to prosper economically, socially, and safely, proper legislation and systems must be placed to monitor the emission of carbon monoxide as well as to mitigate the effects brought by it.