The Arrecife City Council has finalized during these summer months the installation of seven air quality measurement stations with the deployment of sensors to analyze various parameters in the atmosphere. The meters transmit the data in real time to a central station for analysis by the technicians of the Environment Area of the City Council.
These devices allow monitoring different environmental factors of air quality such as gases and suspended particles, temperature and humidity, among others.
The mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, has highlighted that since this first weekend of September the meters are already in service and capture, monitor and control emissions on the atmosphere and the haze periods. The mayor has pointed out that these sensors will allow controlling the levels and avoiding damages to the health of the citizens.
Yonathan de León has pointed out that, with climate change, the Canary Islands, due to their proximity to Africa and the Sahara desert, may register more episodes of haze, as is being perceived. The haze, in addition to reducing visibility, influences air quality and can be harmful to respiratory health.
Installed in health, educational, sports and road centers
The Department of Environment, led by Davinia Déniz, has implemented this measure to have real-time indicators. Déniz has detailed that the pre-alert situation activated by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) for this past weekend due to a haze episode will serve to check these facilities and monitor the parameters.
These sensors have been installed in the vicinity of the University Hospital of Lanzarote Dr. Molina Orosa, on the beaches of the city's coastline, several educational centers, roads with high vehicle traffic, and next to sports facilities with outdoor facilities.
These facilities will be rented for one year. Its objective is, through air quality control, to reinforce the quality of life of the citizens.
With the installation of these first sensors, it will be possible to monitor and control emissions, and identify areas with higher emissions, audit and quantify variations in concentrations, and make decisions and actions to generate a sustainable urban environment, contributing to the environment and benefiting the population of the municipality.
The council has defended in a press release that this acquisition of measurement stations adds to the improvement of the fleet of municipal vehicles, electric buses or the deployment of a new public system of electric bicycles for rent as an element of mobility through the city of Arrecife.
