NO2 measurements at the bus station area in a big tourist city in Argentina

Abstract

Ambient air concentrations of Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were monitored, together with the main meteorological parameters, at Mar del Plata's bus station. This city is located in the southeast of Buenos Aires province, in Argentina, and by the sea. Nitrogen dioxide was selected because its effects on health are particularly critical and it is considered a hazardous substance. The standard sample analysis method for nitrogen dioxide was used, which is under the jurisdiction of ASTM committee (ASTM Designation: D 1607-76(1), 1979), based on the Griess-Saltzman reaction, and the IRAM 29268 (Argentina norm). Sampling was carried out in a fritted-tip bubbler. The absorbing device was installed at the places where people wait for the buses and at approximately 60 cm from the floor. The concentrations measured were considerably higher than those corresponding to other urban sites. However, the resulting NO2 levels were always below the existing air quality standards. Moreover, the results obtained may alert and guide the development of future controls and may be applied in the evaluation of air quality models. It is also an important step towards improving the knowledge of driver and passenger exposure in the urban area.