Evaluación de la calidad de aire en las playas turísticas del norte de República Dominicana

Abstract

Sun and beach tourism is one of the main socioeconomic activities in the Dominican Republic. Air pollution is a determining factor for the health of local communities and tourists visiting a destination. In this sense, the objective of this research is to evaluate the air quality in the northern coastal region of the Dominican Republic, specifically, in the tourist and recreational areas of the city of Puerto Plata. The purpose is twofold: on the one hand, to determine the concentration of PM1, PM2.5, PM7, PM10 and Total Suspended Particles on the beaches of Puerto Plata, the second destination for sun and country beach and, on the other hand, calculate the Air Quality Index of PM10 and PM2.5 in said beaches, following the methodology validated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Data is collected using specialized equipment, tabulated in Excel, and analyzed in the SPSS program. The results indicate that the quality of the beaches of Puerto Plata is good. There are two beaches that present a moderate air quality index (Malecón de Puerto Plata and Playa Dorada), the cause being the proximity to the international airport and the areas traveled by vehicles. The research provides recommendations to improve the Air Quality Regulation of the Dominican Republic.