Dataset Information

What the COVID-19 lockdown revealed about photochemistry and ozone production in Quito, Ecuador.

ABSTRACT: The COVID-19 lockdown presented a peculiar opportunity to study a shift in the photochemical regime of ozone production in Quito (Ecuador) before and after mobility restrictions. Primary precursors such as NO and CO dropped dramatically as early as 13 March 2020, due to school closures, but ambient ozone did not change. In this work we use a chemical box model in order to estimate regimes of ozone production before and after the lockdown. We constrain the model with observations in Quito (ozone, NO_x, CO, and meteorology) and with estimations of traffic-associated VOCs that are tightly linked to CO. To this end, we use the closest observational data of VOC/CO ratios at an urban area that shares with Quito conditions of high altitude and is located in the tropics, namely Mexico City. A shift in the chemical regime after mobility restrictions was evaluated in light of the magnitude of radical losses to nitric acid and to hydrogen peroxide. With reduced NO_x in the morning rush hour (lockdown conditions), ozone production rates at 08:30-10:30 increased from 4.2 to 17 to 9.7-23?ppbv?h^-1, respectively. To test further the observed shift in chemical regime, ozone production was recalculated with post-lockdown NO_x levels, but setting VOCs to pre-lockdown conditions. This change tripled ozone production rates in the mid-morning and stayed higher throughout the day. In light of these findings, practical scenarios that present the potential for ozone accumulation in the ambient air are discussed.

SUBMITTER: Cazorla M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7446709 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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What the COVID-19 lockdown revealed about photochemistry and ozone production in Quito, Ecuador.

Cazorla María M Herrera Edgar E Palomeque Emilia E Saud Nicolás N

Atmospheric pollution research 20200825 1

The COVID-19 lockdown presented a peculiar opportunity to study a shift in the photochemical regime of ozone production in Quito (Ecuador) before and after mobility restrictions. Primary precursors such as NO and CO dropped dramatically as early as 13 March 2020, due to school closures, but ambient ozone did not change. In this work we use a chemical box model in order to estimate regimes of ozone production before and after the lockdown. We constrain the model with observations in Quito (ozone, ...[more]

PMID: 32863711

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Project description:BackgroundEmergency care is an essential part of a health system. Ecuador has recognized emergency medicine as a specialty and has two emergency medicine residency training programs. However, little has been published about emergency department characteristics and capabilities in Ecuador.ObjectiveWe described the characteristics and capabilities of emergency departments (EDs) in Quito, Ecuador, in 2017, using the National Emergency Department Inventory (NEDI) survey.MethodsThe 23-item survey included questions pertaining to ED characteristics, including: visit volume, physical and administrative structure, clinical capabilities, technological resources, and consult personnel availability. This study included all EDs in Quito operating 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, and serving all patients seeking care. One representative from each ED was asked to complete the survey based on calendar year 2017.FindingsThirty EDs met the inclusion criteria, and 26 completed the survey (87% response). The median number of ED beds was 17 (range 2-61). Median annual visit volume was 22,580 (range 1,680 to 129,676). All but two EDs provided care for both children and adults. Cardiac monitors were available in 88% of EDs, CT scanners in 68%, and rooms for respiratory isolation in 31%. Most EDs could manage patients with general medicine (92%), general surgery (92%), and gynecology (88%) emergencies 24/7. Fewer were able to provide hand surgery (45%) and dental (28%) care 24/7. Typical length of stay was 1-6 hours in 65% and >6 hours in 31% of EDs. Half of EDs reported operating at full capacity and 27% reported operating over their capacity. When compared to private EDs, government EDs (public and social security) had a higher mean number of visits per year (50,090 government vs. 13,968 private, p < 0.001), higher mean number of ED beds (36 government vs. 9 private, p = 0.002), and higher length of stay (58% of patient stays > 6 hours in government EDs vs. 86% of patient stays 1-6 hours in private EDs, p = 0.009).ConclusionsEDs in Quito varied widely with respect to annual visit volume, ability to treat different pathologies 24/7, and resources. Most EDs are functioning at or over capacity, and a substantial number have long lengths of stay. Further research and investment in emergency care could help increase the capacity and efficiency of EDs in Ecuador.

Dataset Information

What the COVID-19 lockdown revealed about photochemistry and ozone production in Quito, Ecuador.

Publications

What the COVID-19 lockdown revealed about photochemistry and ozone production in Quito, Ecuador.

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