Identificación y evaluación de aspectos e impactos ambientales en el taller de soldadura de la Facultad de Mecánica de la Espoch, gestión de desechos sólidos

Abstract

Solid waste generation in the welding workshops of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo's Faculty of Mechanics is a growing concern, as it not only hinders academic activities but also contributes to local environmental challenges through the production of non-hazardous solid waste, noise, welding fume emissions, and urban waste. This study aimed to identify and evaluate the environmental aspects and impacts in the ESPOCH Faculty of Mechanics' welding workshop, focusing on solid waste management. A mixed-methods approach involving field research, literature review, and descriptive analysis was employed to gather qualitative and quantitative data. The findings revealed various environmental aspects, including urban and industrial waste and atmospheric emissions. The environmental impact assessment indicated that activities such as metal cutting, electrode use, carbon monoxide generation, noise, and radiation have significant negative environmental impacts, accounting for 58% of the total impact. This highlights the urgent need for effective mitigation and control measures. Additionally, 11% of the effect was classified as moderate. The study concludes that implementing the recommended procedures, tools, and equipment for solid waste management in the Faculty of Mechanics' Welding Workshop will improve environmental and safety conditions. It is recommended that the institution explore the possibility of establishing partnerships with specialized metal recycling companies to maintain workshop order and cleanliness.