QUANTIFICATION OF AIR POLLUTION AND ITS POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCE IN GUATEMALA

Many rising health complications plague countries worldwide. Air pollution and global warming are some of the most significant contributors. In developing countries, i.e., China, India, or Guatemala, people are contracting severe illnesses such as pneumonia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and various cardiac or respiratory diseases due to air pollutants mainly emitted during rapid economic development. Most under-developed countries are not able to provide sufficient funds for medical treatments or do not know the potential consequences of these diseases in the long run. Among various factors of air pollutants, carbon monoxide presents a significant threat, mainly because it is toxic and invisible to humans. Despite extensive research on the life-threatening effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, appropriate measures have not been fully executed. The objective of the study was to demonstrate the connections between rapid urbanization and carbon monoxide levels in an emerging country. Our research team visited Guatemala to monitor carbon monoxide levels in diverse locations of varying conditions: population, residence, transportation, urbanization, or use of different ventilation. In areas with high-level carbon monoxide (CO), an Easy Log El-USB-CO was used. In highly populated urban areas, the CO level reached up to 200 ppm, and elevated approximately 5 hours, though ups and downs. Our results supported the claims that people in Guatemala have been intoxicated with carbon monoxide and that a central government should find ways to combat this ongoing, silent epidemic.