The air is not visible, but that does not mean it is clean. During the first ten days of an innovative pilot study led by Iván Chérrez, allergist and researcher at the Universidad Espíritu Santo (UEES), the results already show a worrying alert: on average, air quality in Samborondón was in the «poor» category, with one day registering «very poor» levels.
The Kunak device, strategically installed in La Puntilla because of its centrality among the student and urban population, not only measures temperature, but also monitors critical air pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and, most worryingly of all, PM2.5 particulate matter. These microscopic particles, finer than a human hair, can enter directly into the bloodstream when inhaled, and are linked in the long term to cardiovascular disease and respiratory crises in patients with asthma, emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
But the problem does not end with air pollution. Data from the device reveal another silent enemy: the heat index. Between 12:00 and 16:00, the combination of temperature and humidity reaches «caution» and «extreme caution» levels, increasing the risk of dehydration, cramps and fainting, especially in older adults and vulnerable populations.
«Particles suspended in the air prevent heat from dissipating properly, creating a vicious circle that affects cardiovascular health,» explains Dr. Juan Calderón, part of the UEES research team, adding that it is not necessary to see the typical smog-like haze to recognize that the air is polluted. This finding is particularly critical for Samborondón, an area of high added value and vehicular traffic where thousands of people engage in outdoor physical activity daily, unaware that they may be exposing themselves to invisible risks.
The project, which plans to expand to four strategic points in Samborondón to map pollution throughout the city, does not seek to generate alarm but rather scientific data to empower citizens and guide public policy.
The research team's goal is clear: to generate a five-year roadmap with scientific evidence that will allow them to issue precise recommendations ranging from safe exercise schedules to urban reforestation strategies and reduced vehicle use. Under the «One Health» approach, this UEES study recognizes that human, environmental and animal health are deeply interconnected, and that protecting air quality is protecting the very lives of the communities that inhabit these cities.
