(115l) Atmospheric Conditions: Measurements of Air Pollution in Mayagüez Puerto Rico

In recent years the elemental composition in atmospheric particulate matter has received an increasing attention. Total suspended particulate matter, TSP, refers to all liquid and solid particles in the atmosphere. The Particulate Matter (PM10) aerodynamics diameter of 10 µm (µm = 10-6 meters) PM10, that includes individual particles with aerodynamic diameter from 3.0 µm to 10 µm, (e.g. the average diameter human hair is 70 µm). PM10 or coarse particulate, are emitted by fossil-fuel, incomplete combustion, and by mechanical process, such as forest fires, volcanoes and dust storms. In an effort to improve our knowledge about atmospheric particles containing active and dangerous material associated with tropical islands, a special project has began in the Chemistry Department of The University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus since 2005. The local agency JCA ? Junta de Calidad Ambiental de Puerto Rico? do not monitor the TSP/PM10 in the West Area and our data is the only one available. The instrument used for this research was a High Volume Sampler (HVS), and was located in the ceiling of the Chemistry building of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. The HVS was employed for twenty four hour periods during February to April 2008. The TSP/PM10 results were reported in mass concentration of micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).The instrument calibration was inside the range established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).The results shows a substantial decrease in the TSP/PM10 value of the Dry Season of 2008 in comparison with the same season 2007. The average highest value of TSP/PM10 obtained was during the month of April (34.16 μg/m3) 2008 while the value of TSP/PM10 2007 was during the month of March (44.23 μg/m3).The TSP/PM10 results correlate with the precipitations episodes. We found a direct correlation between the maximum value of TSP and the highest incident of forest fires in the area of Mayagüez. At the present day, no measurements exceed the limits impose by the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).