DOE Enhances Air Quality Monitoring in Belize

The Department of the Environment (DOE) is enhancing its national air quality monitoring program to bolster environmental stewardship. This year, the DOE has expanded its passive ambient air quality monitoring to all six districts, including Belize City, Orange Walk Town, and Belmopan City, to collect baseline data on nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide, and ground-level ozone.

In 2023, the DOE installed a Dust Sentry Pro-active air quality monitoring device at its Belmopan City office to monitor particulate matter, which can cause respiratory issues. Building on this initiative, the DOE, supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Climate Promise Project, has acquired an AEROQUAL AQM 65 system. This cutting-edge equipment will be installed in the Valley of Peace Community and will measure particulate matter sizes 1μm/m³, 2.5μm/m³, and 10μm/m³, as well as key gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and sulfur dioxide. This new system will provide real-time data on a 24-hour basis.

The real-time data generated by these systems will soon be accessible to the public through a Belize Weather app, set to be launched by the National Meteorological Service.

Today, a training session is being held for key agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Pesticides Control Board, University of Belize, and the National Biodiversity Office. Experts from ITS Technologies, the manufacturer of the AEROQUAL AQM 65 system, are conducting the training on installation, operation, and maintenance to ensure optimal functionality and reliability.

The national air quality monitoring program, through both active and passive monitoring, aims to provide critical information to the public and decision-makers about ambient air quality to protect human health and ecosystem function. This data will be particularly valuable during periods of heavy smoke that affect various districts during the dry season. This initiative aligns with Goal 8-Target 8.1.1 of Belize’s National Environmental Action Plan, aiming to establish a comprehensive ambient air quality monitoring network by 2026.