Community
The authorities affirm that poor air quality can affect minors, adults of the elderly, as well as people with respiratory and renal diseases.
Insivumeh states that air quality in Guatemala is slightly risky for health. (Free Press Photo: Creosa Video screen capture).
The bulletin prepared by the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh) reported at 12.30 pm on March 10 that air quality is considered reasonable and represents a slight risk to human health.
Insivumeh explained that the risk is mainly for vulnerable groups, as minors, adults of the elderly and people with respiratory, renal or cancer diseases.
Air quality in Guatemala was affected by the activity of the Fire volcano.
During the early morning a decrease in concentrations of particulate material, indicated the report.
Read more: Fire volcano eruption: declare orange alert and evacu
The institution explained that Volcanic ash can be dispersed up to one hundred kilometers in southwest and northeast direction, which could increase contamination concentrations.
At 6.55, Insivumeh recorded maximum values of PM 2.5 of 120 micrograms per cubic meter, which means a very poor air quality, and PM 10 of 203 micrograms per cubic meter, being a bad air quality.
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) clarified that The eruption still does not endbut the activity of the volcano of fire has decreased in intensity.
Besides Activated alerts in Altenango, Sacatepéquez; Yepocapa, Chimaltenango; and in Escuintla and Siquinalá.
Recommendations
The Directorate of Administration of Vulnerabilities and Emergencies (AVE) of the Municipality of Guatemala issued Recommendations due to ash fall:
- Use wet covers or scarves to protect the airways.
- Use ocular protection before exposure to ash.
- Prevent vehicles or machinery from being exposed.
- Cover drains to avoid obstructions.
- Driving with caution, because volcanic ash causes the asphalt to be slippery.