Estimating Factors that Influence the Generation of the PM2.5 Contaminant in Temuco and Padre Las Casas, Chile

Resumen

In this study, we investigate the different demographic, land use, transportation and height factors that influence the generation of the PM2.5 due to wood burning in the conurbation of Temuco and Padre Las Casas, Chile. First, a global regression model was implemented to explore the relationship between the variables and subsequently spatial regression models (geographically weighted regression and spatial error model) were employed in the analysis. Results suggest that height and infrastructure density have a strong association with PM2.5 using the global regression and spatial error models. Conversely, the results indicate that residential density, distance to high congested roads and length of local roads within a 100-m vicinity are significant factors with the geographically weighted regression model. In addition, the latter model presents the best model performance when compared with the other two models (global regression and spatial error models). These results may help authorities in resource assignment to improve air quality in the studied conurbation. Future research should include other types of spatial regression models and other relevant variables that may influence the generation of PM2.5 due to wood burning.