The Costa Rica News (TCRN) -Costa Rica improved the quality of its urban air by controlling suspended particles to levels that are below the minimum accepted by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, there are still high levels of fine particles. This was the main conclusion derived from the laboratory analysis through the “urban lung”, a piece of special fabric that was installed at Antigua Aduana in San Jose on June 5th during the Environment World Day.
It was used to collect particles and measure the level of air pollution. The analysis by the Environmental Analysis Laboratory of the National University (UNA) detected the presence of sulfate, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, nickel, chromium and copper, vanadium and aluminum. All these are harmful substances to human health if they are found in concentrations above 25 micrograms per square meter, which is the maximum level recommended by the WHO.
The piece of fabric collected 26 micrograms per square meter. The fine particles are associated with arthrosclerosis, respiratory diseases in children, impaired cognitive function and premature births. “Just as the country reduced PM 10 particles and removed lead from gasoline, we will now assume this new challenge reducing fine particles through new regulations, renewal of the vehicle fleet and overall emissions reduction,” said the minister Rene Castro.
Castro said that in order to confront the problem fuels will be reformulated and the change of vehicle fleets will be strongly promoted. Data on air quality, prepared by the National University in 2012, revealed that vehicles over 15 years old emit 70% of pollutants. These vehicles account for 50% of the fleet of the country. EFE
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica
