Project Title: Measurements of Air Quality in Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico

SCERP Project Number: A97-3

Principal Investigator: Charles W. Bruce

Task Manager's affiliation: New Mexico State University

Goal: This project relates to the determination of the concentrations and chemistry of gases and airborne particulates in the city of Juárez, Chih., Mexico and the application to a specific public health problem. Multiple techniques will be employed to measure both gases and particles.

The project includes an in-situ measurement and analysis program consisting of both near-ground level surveys and vertical profiles (using a helium-filled balloon) for a comprehensive catalogue of both molecules and particulates. An initial year-long measurement and analysis study was used to determine the basic complexity of the problem for periods of heavy contamination (concentrations, reproducibility and development for similar meteorological conditions and degree of spatial uniformity of the aerosol parameters). That study indicated a significant degree of uniformity and reproducibility. It also indicated that current information is inadequate in type and incorrect with respect to generalization and, therefore, does not provide an adequate basis for evaluation of health risks.

While the initial study focused on periods of heavy air contamination, the proposed study extends this to all-hours, again in all sectors of the city, for representative sets of meteorological conditions. A judicious set of real time measurements will enable continuous monitoring of the most important gases and particulates. Particulates will be separated into their two major non-biological components, i.e., soot and soil-based, as they must in any realistic study because the associated health risks differ. Size distributions of the components will also be obtained because of their established relevance to evaluation of health risks. Multiple techniques will be used to take measurements of both gases and particles. The measurement approach includes various published developments by the research team in both field and controlled environmental studies for a variety of aerosols.

To accomplish the desired results of a much improved air quality assessment, an improved basis for modeling of development of air contamination, and execution of a specific epidemiological study, a team of researchers from the US and Mexico was assembled. They also participated in the initial study. The medical members of the team are Dr. J. VanDerslice, head of the University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health at El Paso, and Dr. S. J. Mendoza.

The payoffs are clear: a much improved database for various risk assessments and modeling (the primary interests of Dr. Quevedo) and epidemiological information, and perhaps conclusions for assessment of border health problems.

Project is ongoing.

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Last updated 5/6/99