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Public Health & Particulate Matter Columbus / Palomas Air Quality Study

This presentation explores the impact of particulate matter (PM) on public health, with a focus on the Columbus/Palomas Air Monitoring Study and its findings. It discusses the serious health effects of PM10 and the risk factors in New Mexico, including pregnant women and children. The study also presents data on air quality and school absenteeism in the Columbus/Palomas region. Future work includes an E-BAM study and tree planting initiatives.

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Public Health & Particulate Matter Columbus / Palomas Air Quality Study

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  1. Public Health & Particulate MatterColumbus / Palomas Air Quality Study Thomas Ruiz, M.S. Border / Environmental Justice Liaison New Mexico Environment Department– Office of the Secretary

  2. This Presentation • Public health and particulate matter (PM) • Health effects from elevated PM • Recent findings • Columbus / Palomas Air Monitoring Study • Project review • Presentation of data (1-year) • Implications of this study

  3. Target Organ: Lungs • PM10 is among the most harmful of all air pollutants. • When inhaled these particles evade the respiratory system's natural defenses and lodge deep in the lungs.

  4. Serious Health Effects from PM10

  5. Who is at risk in New Mexico? Mesilla Valley Inn

  6. Pregnant Women & Particulate Matter Latzin, et al University of Bern - 2008 • Study and Findings • Focused on maternal exposure to PM10 and distances from their residence to major roads during pregnancy. • Pregnant women exposed to high levels of PM10 have increased risk of giving birth to infants with compromised respiratory status. • Worse degree of respiratory illness in infants whose mothers lived less than 150 meters from a major road and when mother was exposed during third trimester • (Reuters Health Information – November 2008)

  7. Air Quality Monitoring and School Absenteeism in the Columbus- Palomas, Mexico Region • Larry Olsen, Dr.P.H., CHES, Principal Investigator • Mohammed Y. Hussain, PhD, Program Manager • Thomas Ruiz, MS, Co-Principal Investigator • Sonya Andron, MPH, Co-Principal Investigator • Daniel Galindo, MS, Field Coordinator • Hugo Vilchis, MD, MPH

  8. Research • Funded by the Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research Policy (SCERP) • $58,000 grant awarded • Based on community EH priorities • Binational study • Record every 6 days for 12 months • Air quality awareness and education • Two PM10 air monitors and one PM2.5 monitor

  9. PM10 Concentration at Two Sites

  10. PM10 Concentration at Two Sites

  11. PM10 Concentration at Two Sites

  12. PM10 Concentration at Two Sites – One Year Summary

  13. PM2.5 ConcentrationColumbus (INS Inspection Station), New Mexico

  14. PM2.5 ConcentrationColumbus (INS Inspection Station), New Mexico

  15. Observations w/ Respect to Wind • Based on Santa Teresa wind data: • Most of the exceedances in Palomas were low wind events (<20 mph) • High wind event is >18 m/s or 40 mph • As reported to EPA under the NEAP • Days with exceedances in Palomas had gusts up to 20 mph. • PM2.5 exceedances at Port of Entry could be linked to traffic flow • Increased around holidays

  16. Relevance of this Work • Increase in monitoring to complete picture of the border area • Modeling of weather related phenomenon such as high wind days • University research • Public information • Health studies

  17. Future Work • E-BAM study (possible) • Commenced in Sunland Park, NM and Anapra, MX in October ’08 • Continuous sampling • Real-time accurate results • Tree planting • Trees provided by NMED • Successful in Anapra (US and Mexico)

  18. Contact Information Thomas Ruiz, M.S Border / Environmental Justice Liaison New Mexico Environment Department Office of the Secretary (575) 528-6029 thomas.ruiz@state.nm.us

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