Determinación y análisis de las concentraciones de material particulado medido por una red de monitoreo continuo para la Ciudad de Asunción

Abstract

The most recent measurement study carried out in Paraguay in 2018, established that the population of Asunción is exposed to average concentrations higher than those established by the standard in 24 hours. In this work, the concentrations of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) particulate matter are determined and analyzed by recording and processing data from the first continuous and automatic monitoring network of eleven stations of particulate matter for Asunción between April 18 2019 and April 18 2020 (one year). The results allow to determine the exceedance of the limit for PM2.5 in 33 days, while for PM10 it is exceeded in 5 days. The Cerrito rural bottom station represents the area with the highest average air quality disturbance in the network. Pollution episodes are observed at nine stations that exceed the standard for PM2.5 and four stations that exceed it for PM10. Cases are identified where all stations exceeded the PM2.5 limit but did not exceed the PM10 limit. The Mcal. López at the Campus UNA traffic station stands out from the others for exceeding the permitted concentration for PM2.5 between January and April 2020. These results could be associated with a meteorological situation with a predominance of a sky totally covered by fog and low temperatures, while in others cases the influence of forest fires in the area is considered significant.