Análisis de factores ambientales asociados a la presencia de metales pesados en aire alrededor de centros de educación inicial en la ciudad de Cuenca

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution, as a consequence of increasing traffic, is of high concern for public health in urban areas. The PM draws major attention, first because by its micrometric sizes can particles penetrate the lungs and hinder the gas exchange, and secondly due to its chemical composition including the presence of heavy metals, which can damage the biological systems. Despite its detrimental effects for the entire population, kids are more vulnerable because of its developing stage. It is known that PM concentrations can be influenced by street characteristics, meteorology, and the presence of surrounding vegetation, which constitute environmental factors related to the generation, dispersion, and deposition of PM. Due to the necessity of reducing population exposure to this type of pollution, the present study analyzed the correlation of environmental factors of generation, dispersion and deposition based on the available secondary information with the concentration of PM10, and metals (lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc) in air samples collected at 21 initial education centers in the city of Cuenca. The obtained results indicate low relationships between pollutants and environmental factors, the presence of high variability in pollutant concentrations, and PM10 levels often exceeding the limits established by the World Health Organization and national law.