INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF LOCALITY ON THE CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS AND EFFECTS IN GUATEMALA
GRACE LIM *
Environmental Sciences Division, STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place Suite#100/Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, United States.
CHELSEA LIM
Environmental Sciences Division, STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place Suite#100/Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, United States.
SEONGHO HONG
Environmental Sciences Division, STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place Suite#100/Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, United States.
YOONHA CHUN
Environmental Sciences Division, STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place Suite#100/Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, United States.
YESEUNG MOON
Environmental Sciences Division, STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place Suite#100/Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, United States.
MINSUH KIM
Environmental Sciences Division, STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place Suite#100/Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, United States.
ZACHARY LUO
Environmental Sciences Division, STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place Suite#100/Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, United States.
RACHEL JEON
Environmental Sciences Division, STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place Suite#100/Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, United States.
SEAN OH
Environmental Sciences Division, STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place Suite#100/Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 07632, United States.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Guatemala has been a developing country in a variety of aspects. As the country continues to rise industrially, it faces the major concerns of air pollution. The pollution within Guatemala has continued to rise into dangerous levels. There are major health risks associated with air pollution, including heart disease and chronic respiratory issues. Most under-developed countries face scarcity in the access of medical attention and the distribution of medicine because of insufficient funds, government support, and regulations. A key contributor to the dangers of air pollution is carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless and colorless poisonous gas. Emission of CO is most common through anthropogenic activities. As a result of the rapid industrialization, increase in motor vehicles, and gradual activity post-quarantine, there has been a significant change in the carbon monoxide levels of the country.
The objective of this study was to quantify the carbon monoxide levels of Guatemala City (which consists of the largest urban population) and Tikal using the EasyLog USB-CO. The research team monitored many locations under various conditions: population, ventilation, transportation, and found their mutual relationship among the parameters. The study concluded that CO pollution was more prominent at places of dense population and increased anthropogenic activities.
Keywords: Air pollution monitoring, carbon monoxide emission levels, environmental air pollution, urban atmosphere