Particle and Carbon Monoxide Atmospheric Pollution in the City of Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico

Actively caring for the environment is an issue that prevails in the international debate, and our country takes part on this argument. One aspect of environmental deterioration is, with no doubt, atmospheric pollution; a constant in modern societies, which, in the attempt to find growth and development, impact the natural and urban environment they inhabit. A distinctive feature of commercial and economic exchange are the strategic cities, so-called capitals, in addition to the territories where coastal tourism predominates as an engine of regional human development. In this balance, which is far from being sustainable and fair, an exponential consumer market dominates and generates the progressive increase in the use of fossil fuels. The former being emitted into the atmosphere, in such a way that they alter chemical composition and cause harmful air quality. In addition, the territory is impacted, intoxicating the soil and water, which are the final deposit. The objective of this work is to determine the temporal behavior of atmospheric pollutants in the city of Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico and to identify the dominant pollution indicators considering the international and national context. Through the statistical analysis of the databases of particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, particles smaller than 10 micrometers and carbon monoxide, the behaviors of these pollutants in the study area were obtained. Among the most significant results, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers showed maximum levels outside the norm almost all year round, with values reaching 170 micrograms per cubic meter. On the other hand, the particles smaller than 10 micrometers presented satisfactory levels in their average behavior; however, the maximum concentrations remained outside the official Mexican standard. Regarding the analysis of CO, a behavior within the maximum permissible limits of protection for the population was reported; Nevertheless, by favoring the formation of tropospheric ozone, its contribution is significant, especially when the atmosphere is highly photo-reactive. This research can be used as a timely tool for mitigation of climate change, where the results contribute to the review and rethinking of public management of the environment towards sustainable development.