Colombia. The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development delivered the completion of the air quality project that seeks to optimize the measurement, renew the information system for the analysis and management of data in that country.
The project culminated after four years of work: "Strengthening air quality monitoring systems and technical and institutional capacities for Air Quality Management in Colombia", and was carried out with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOIKA).
During the delivery of results, the deputy minister of the portfolio, Carlos Alberto Botero, said that knowing the state of air quality in Colombia is fundamental, "especially in the areas where this equipment was installed and there is a high potential for affecting human health. Thanks to these stations we will be able to make a more accurate measurement and implement preventive actions."
With an investment of close to US$5 million, nine air quality monitoring stations were designed and commissioned in the municipalities of Nobsa and Sogamoso in Boyacá, in Santa Marta and Ciénaga in Magdalena, and in Barranquilla in the Atlantic.
The project now makes it possible to measure particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), tropospheric ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SO2), in addition to wind direction and speed, solar radiation, precipitation, barometric pressure, also the relative humidity and temperature, thus achieving comprehensive readings and thus making decisions that contribute to a better quality of life, health and provide greater well-being to the population, through the integral management of air quality.
Vice Minister Botero added that this project was of great importance for the country, taking into account that it also contributes to the institutional strengthening of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, which is responsible for the coordination, monitoring and follow-up for the fulfillment of the commitments that were acquired within the framework of this agreement.
These monitoring stations seek to guarantee the administration and promote the constant updating of air quality information, so that progress can continue to be made in strengthening the follow-up process to the regulations issued by the country, as well as in the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Policy, obtaining inputs for the formulation of better public policy instruments.
The beneficiary entities with this initiative are the Regional Autonomous Corporations of Magdalena (Corpamag), Boyacá (Corpoboyacá), the Urban Environmental Authority of Barranquilla (EPA Barranquilla Verde), the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam) and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. The latter two led the project.
Source: www.minambiente.gov.co
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