Assessment of Atmospheric Pollution by Particulate Matter PM2.5 in the city of Cusco respect to the Air Quality Indices between the years 2017 and 2018

Abstract

In this scientific article, a comprehensive assessment of PM2.5 particulate matter air pollution was carried out in different monitoring areas of the city of Cusco during 2017 and 2018. The central objective of the research was to analyze PM2.5 concentration at various points in the city, using a predetermined
sampling approach. Multiple measurements were collected at each point, performed at 24-hour intervals, and obtaining the concentration values by gravimetry and subsequently calculating the average of these measurements. This data collection and analysis process followed the regulatory guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The results obtained revealed a worrisome picture of air pollution in the city of Cusco. More than 84% of the monitored sites presented a poor score in the Environmental Quality Indexes (INCA) established by the Peruvian Government’s Ministry of Environment. These findings indicate that the population of Cusco is exposed to harmful levels of PM2.5. A highlight of the investigation is the district of San Jeronimo in Cusco, where an average concentration of 125 ug/m3 of PM2.5 was recorded. This places this area at the threshold of care, represented by the red color on the INCAs. These elevated PM2.5 levels in San Jeronimo correlate with the risk of developing chronic pulmonary and cardiovascular
diseases, concluding that according to the INCAs the air in the city of Cusco is bad.