Air quality by station in Bogota PM 2.5 microns

Analysis

In order to control air quality, with Resolution 2254 of 2017, particulate matter (PM) concentration limits were established for cities in Colombia. For an annual average, the concentration of PM of 2.5 micrometers (µm) cannot exceed 25 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). In 2019 the Carvajal-Sevillana station reported measurements of 36.3 µg/m3, and Kennedy 25.4 µg/m3, exceeding the limit established in the resolution. The other stations recorded lower concentrations. However, all stations except San Cristóbal exceeded the limit established in the WHO Air Quality Guidelines, which for this type of material is 10 µg/m3. Recent studies have indicated that there is a correlation between the number of COVID-19 deaths and poor air quality in cities. One such study conducted by Harvard University indicates that long-term exposure to PM 2.5 generates many of the pre-existing conditions that increase the likelihood of death in people who contract the virus. This study was conducted with data from 3,000 counties in the United States. As these studies are so recent, they have not been peer reviewed to date.

Description

Annual average concentration per monitoring station of particulate matter corresponding to small particles, solid or liquid, of dust, ash, soot, metallic particles, cement or pollen, dispersed in the atmosphere and whose diameter is less than 2.5 micrometers.