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Buele, Jorge
Monitoring Air Pollutants in Industrial Settings: a Study in Tungurahua, Ecuador
2025
,
Lara Calle, Andrés
,
Jhonathan Espinoza-Tenemaza
,
Buele, Jorge
Air quality in work environments is essential for workers’ health, particularly in industrial sectors where processes emit hazardous pollutants. This study, conducted in the province of Tungurahua, Ecuador, assessed air quality across various industrial companies using an IoT device to measure suspended particles (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10) and other pollutants such as CO2, formaldehyde, and total volatile organic compounds. The goal was to identify variations in pollutant concentrations and evaluate associated health risks. Air quality measurements were conducted using an IoT-based device designed to detect real-time levels of particulate matter and other pollutants. The study focused on different industrial sectors, including plastics production, wood processing, agricultural machinery, car dealerships, and industrial laundries, to provide a comprehensive overview of workplace air quality. The study found that companies involved in plastics, wood, and agricultural machinery production exhibited high levels of particulate matter, with PM1.0 concentrations between 1000 and 2000 μg/m3 and spikes in PM2.5 and PM10 exceeding permissible limits, posing health risks to workers. In contrast, car dealerships and industrial laundries showed significantly lower pollutant levels, suggesting more effective emissions control measures. These findings highlight the need for continuous air quality monitoring and stricter emissions control in high-pollution sectors to safeguard workers’ health. The study also provides a foundation for future research, which should expand to include other sectors and regions in Latin America, where strict air quality regulations in work environments are often lacking.