Soccer games and record-breaking PM<sub>2.5</sub> pollution events in Santiago, Chile

Abstract

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> In wintertime, high background concentrations of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5</sub>) are commonly observed in the metropolitan area of Santiago, Chile. Hourly peaks can be very strong, up to ten times average levels, but have barely been studied so far. Based on atmospheric composition measurements and chemistry-transport modeling (WRF-CHIMERE), the chemical signature of sporadic skyrocketing wintertime PM<sub>2.5</sub> peaks is analyzed. This signature and the timing of such extreme events traces their origin back to massive barbecue cooking by Santiago's inhabitants during international soccer games. The peaks end up evacuated outside Santiago after a few hours but trigger emergency plans for the next day. Decontamination plans in Santiago focus on decreasing traffic, industrial and residential heating emissions. Thanks to the air quality network of Santiago, this study shows that cultural habits such as barbecue cooking also need to be taken into account. For short-term forecast and emergency management, cultural events such as soccer games seem a good proxy to prognose possible PM<sub>2.5</sub> peak events. Not only this result can have an informative value for the Chilean authorities, but a similar methodology could also be reproduced for other cases throughout the world in order to estimate the burden on air quality of cultural habits. In particular, the present study shows that investigating the atmospheric composition in large cities during major events is key for the design of effective air pollution mitigation policies.</p>

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