Impact of City-Wide Diesel Generator Use on Air Quality in Quito, Ecuador, during a Nationwide Electricity Crisis

As climate change intensifies and 2023 sets the record for the hottest year, the Amazonian region faces severe drought, leading to a hydroelectricity crisis. This study examines the effects of using environmentally harmful backup power solutions, which are all too common in developing countries—spec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atmosphere 2024-10, Vol.15 (10), p.1192
Main Authors: Zalakeviciute, Rasa, Diaz, Valeria, Rybarczyk, Yves
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air pollution
Air quality
Climate change
Crises
Developing countries
Diesel fuels
Diesel generators
Drought
Electricity
electricity crisis
Environmental aspects
Health risks
Humidity
Hydroelectric power
Hydroelectricity
Identification and classification
LDCs
Measurement
Nitrogen dioxide
Outdoor air quality
Particulate matter
Pollutants
Pollution control
Pollution levels
power blackouts
Power failure
Precipitation
Radiation
Rain
Sulfur dioxide
Time series
Trends
Urban air
urban air pollution
Urban air quality
Urban populations
VOCs
Volatile organic compounds
Weather
Weather conditions
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Summary:As climate change intensifies and 2023 sets the record for the hottest year, the Amazonian region faces severe drought, leading to a hydroelectricity crisis. This study examines the effects of using environmentally harmful backup power solutions, which are all too common in developing countries—specifically, diesel-powered generators—on urban air quality in Quito, Ecuador, during the hydroelectric crisis of 2023/2024. The impact of the blackouts on air pollution is assessed by comparing it to a reference period before the crisis and to an earlier year with similar weather conditions. The findings indicate that extended blackouts (up to 8 h per day) considerably increased concentrations of SO2 (180%), CO (43%), NO2 (39%), and PM2.5 (20%) compared to ‘normal’ conditions. Conversely, O3 pollution levels decreased (−6%). Our findings suggest potential respiratory and cardiovascular health risks for the urban population, highlighting the urgent need for improved energy infrastructure and cleaner backup power solutions in the developing world. Addressing these challenges is critical for ensuring a healthier and more sustainable urban future amidst climate change projections.
ISSN:2073-4433
2073-4433
DOI:10.3390/atmos15101192