Abstract

LOPEZ VILLARRUBIA, Elena et al. Characterization of the atmospheric environment in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain: 2000-2004. Rev. Esp. Salud Publica [online]. 2008, vol.82, n.5, pp.493-507. ISSN 2173-9110.

Background: The island factor in the cities of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, their meteorology and the proximity to the African Continent that originates the natural particulate matter transport over the islands, cause some specific features in their air quality. The aim of this paper is to characterize the air pollution from 2000 to 2004 as exposure indicator of both cities´ inhabitants. Methods: 24 hour daily average variables of PM₁₀, PM_2,5, NO₂, SO₂ and O₃ , 8 hours daily maxima moving averages of O₃ y CO and 1 hour maxima of SO₂, NO₂, O₃, CO, PM₁₀ y PM_2,5 were calculated. Daily levels of coarse particles were obtained subtracting PM_2,5 from PM₁₀. African dust events were identified. Results: In Sta. Cruz de Tf daily means of SO₂ (14.0µg/m³N) and ozone levels (44.4 µg/m³N ) were higher than Las Palmas de GC levels (8.0 y 28.3 µg/m³N). Daily means of NO₂ in Las Palmas de GC: 45.8 µg/m³N where higher than Sta. Cruz de Tf levels: 30.3 µg/m³N. Due to African dust outbreaks, some days in both cities exceeded 600 µg/m³ of PM₁₀ and 200 of PM_2.5 24-h average. Conclusions: The air quality patterns were characterized by very high levels of African dust outbreaks that affect all PM size fractions. Different O₃ seasonality exists respect European cities in addition to an urban-industrial ambient air in Sta. Cruz de TF and clearly urban in Las Palmas de GC. These results have to be considered in order to lay the foundations to suitable surveillance systems, analyse the potential impact on the Canary Islands citizens’ health and to get conclusions.

Keywords : Air pollution; PM₁₀; PM_2,5; Sulphur dioxide; Nitrogen dioxide; Ozone; carbon monoxide.

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