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Puerto San José, nestled on Guatemala’s Pacific coast within the Escuintla Department, occupies a geographically complex position significantly influencing its air quality. Situated at approximately 13.9333° N, -90.8167° W and an elevation of roughly 10 meters above sea level, the city’s low-lying coastal location makes it particularly susceptible to sea breezes and associated atmospheric conditions. The surrounding landscape is dominated by volcanic terrain, with the Sierra de Pacaya volcano looming to the southeast, a constant reminder of the region’s geological activity. This proximity to volcanic soils contributes to the prevalence of fine particulate matter in the air, even in baseline conditions. The Pacific Ocean directly borders the city, moderating temperatures but also introducing marine aerosols and potentially exacerbating coastal fog events. Puerto San José’s urban character is a blend of fishing village and developing port town, with a gradual urban–rural gradient extending inland towards agricultural zones cultivating sugarcane and coffee. These agricultural practices, particularly the burning of fields during harvest seasons, contribute to seasonal spikes in air pollution. Further inland, industrial activity, including processing plants and small-scale manufacturing, adds to the pollutant load. The city’s location within a relatively narrow coastal plain limits ventilation, trapping pollutants and increasing their concentration. The prevailing winds, often shifting between onshore and offshore patterns, dictate the dispersal of emissions, with stagnant air conditions frequently occurring during periods of weak wind flow, further compounding air quality challenges.

Puerto San José experiences a tropical climate characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons, profoundly impacting its air quality profile. The dry season, typically spanning November through April, often sees a reduction in overall rainfall, leading to lower humidity and increased solar radiation. However, this period is frequently punctuated by periods of stagnant air, particularly during temperature inversions where cooler air becomes trapped beneath a layer of warmer air, preventing vertical mixing and concentrating pollutants near the ground. Agricultural burning, a common practice during the dry season to clear land for planting, significantly contributes to particulate matter pollution during these times. The dry winds can also carry pollutants from distant sources, further degrading air quality. The wet season, from May to October, brings increased rainfall and higher humidity, which naturally helps to cleanse the atmosphere by washing away particulate matter. However, heavy rainfall can also lead to increased levels of ozone, a secondary pollutant formed through photochemical reactions involving sunlight and nitrogen oxides. Fog, common during the wet season, can trap pollutants close to the ground, creating localized pockets of poor air quality. Sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions, should exercise caution during the dry season, particularly during agricultural burning periods. During the wet season, while overall air quality tends to improve, monitoring for ozone levels is advisable, especially on sunny days following rainfall. Maintaining indoor air quality through ventilation and air purification can be beneficial throughout the year.