The spatial and temporal distribution of particulate matter pollution on the island of Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico several projects have been performed to study ambient particulate matter but none have sought to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of these pollutants on the island scale and correlate their possible patterns with meteorological parameters and climate indexes. In this project we aim to determine and better understand the spatial and temporal distribution of ambient particulate matter pollution across the island of Puerto Rico over the past 20 years. This information will facilitate correlations with health indicators for sensitive populations in Puerto Rico and ultimately a prediction model for asthma outbreaks and other health conditions associated with particulate pollution. Annual and monthly analyses of particulate matter with diameters less than 10 microns were performed using statistical and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The PM 10 data for all the counties exhibited a seasonal variability with a maximum during the summer months of May through August, with a peak in the months of June and July and a minimum during November to January. A decreasing trend in the PM 10 average concentration is also observed. Correlation analysis shows no significant relationship between PM 10 and precipitation and the North Atlantic Oscillation Index and a small positive correlation between temperature and El Nino Southern Oscillation. Significant contributions to PM 10 in Puerto Rico from volcanic activity are observed since 1995 when the Soufriere Hills volcano in the island of Montserrat started erupting.