Central America prepares to Monitor Air Quality
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – January 14, 2008 – Central American
countries will be able to monitor air quality utilizing satellite information
and surface observation centers thanks to the technological and scientific
support of the USEPA(U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), CATHALAC, Battelle
Institute, USAID (United States
Agency for International Development), and CCAD (Central American Commission for Environment
ad Development).
On January 14th and 15th, 2008 CATHALAC is hosting the first of a series of meetings regarding Air Quality Monitoring and Application Tools for Mesoamerica. The purpose of this meeting is to develop plans for the integration of air quality information into SERVIR (The Regional Visualization and Monitoring System) (SERVIR—www.servir.net).
SERVIR will provide air quality information to the governments of the region for public health related decision- making.
There is a similar air quality system used in the Unites States (www.airnow.gov), where the general public has access to information on air quality in their community.
