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Buele, Jorge
Monitoring Air Pollutants in Industrial Settings: a Study in Tungurahua, Ecuador
Experimental analysis of ecuadorian adobe reinforced with natural fibers
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.
2025
,
Carlos Pinto-Almeida
,
Jordan, Nancy
,
Nahomy Anahà Armas-Robalino
,
Bianca Christina Cáceres
,
Juan Carlos Cajas-Corrales
,
Ronald Steeven Medina-Medina
,
Buele, Jorge
Introduction: In Latin America, the use of adobe as a building material remains highly relevant due to its low cost, local availability, and low environmental impact. Nevertheless, its limited mechanical strength and lack of standardization constrain broader implementation in contemporary architecture. Methods: This study addresses that gap by experimentally evaluating the mechanical performance of adobe blocks stabilized with fine sand and wild straw, produced with red clay from Puyo (Ecuador). The research followed an applied, descriptive–comparative design encompassing material characterization, a 30-day natural curing process, and compressive strength testing using a SHIMADZU Concreto 2000X machine. Results: The stabilized blocks achieved an average compressive strength of 9.63 kg/cm² (≈ 0.94 MPa), a mean displacement of 2.98 mm, and a maximum load of 14.16 kN, values that confirm their suitability for low-rise load-bearing structures. The inclusion of wild straw improved ductility, internal cohesion, and post-fracture integrity, while controlled shade drying minimized microcracking. Compared with traditional handmade bricks (31 kg/cm²), the material showed lower strength but significantly higher environmental and economic sustainability. Conclusion: The results provide empirical indicators to guide the standardization and scalability of stabilized adobe as a low-carbon, structurally viable alternative for rural and peri-urban housing in seismic regions.