Meghan Hodges
Mexico has long struggled with air pollution, which is largely caused by human activities. In 1992, Mexico City was declared the most polluted city in the world by the United Nations. While the situation has improved significantly since then, air pollution remains a pressing issue, with Mexico ranking 46th among the countries with the highest PM2.5 concentration in 2023. This is due to a range of factors, including industrial growth, a sharp increase in population, the proliferation of vehicles, and the use of biomass fuels for cooking. The health impacts of air pollution are severe, causing about 5.9% of all deaths in the country, and resulting in substantial healthcare costs and economic losses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution ranking | 46th amongst countries with the highest PM2.5 concentration in 2023 |
| Air pollution compared to WHO standards | Above the recommended limit of 10 micrograms per square meter |
| Average PM2.5 level in Mexico City | 23 micrograms per square meter |
| Average PM2.5 level in Puebla, Toluca, and Monterrey | 20-36 micrograms per square meter |
| North American Average PM2.5 level | 6.5 micrograms per square meter |
| Country's average PM2.5 concentrations since 2018 | 18.9-20.3 micrograms per square meter |
| Population of Mexico City | 18 million |
| Number of vehicles in Mexico City | 6 million |
| Main sources of air pollution in Mexico City | Industrial and automobile emissions |
| Number of premature deaths due to air pollution in Mexico City | 4,000 |
| Main sources of indoor air pollution in Mexico | Cooking with biomass fuels like wood and charcoal |
| Percentage of Mexicans who cook with biomass fuels | 12.5% |
| Indoor air pollution levels in rural households using biomass fuels | 6-15 times higher than WHO guidelines |
| Number of annual deaths associated with domestic biomass combustion in developing countries | Considerable |
| Percentage of deaths in children less than or equal to one month due to respiratory causes | Over 81% |
| Water pollution in Mexico | 42% of Mexico's water supply is groundwater from aquifers of the Basin of Mexico, which has been tainted with bacteria, lead, nickel, and mercury |
| Number of people exposed to health risks due to water pollution | 1.25 million |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial growth and vehicle emissions
Mexico's pollution problem is caused by a multitude of factors, including industrial growth, a sharp increase in population, and vehicle emissions. More than 3.5 million vehicles are registered in the country, with 30% of them being over 20 years old. These older vehicles, along with outdated vehicle technologies, contribute significantly to the high levels of vehicle emissions in Mexico.
Vehicle emissions in Mexico have been historically higher than in the United States. Remote Sensing Devices (RSD) studies have shown that the presence of outdated vehicle technologies, known as "gross polluters", raises the overall emissions of pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The impact of these emissions on air quality is further exacerbated by the topographical location of Mexico City, which is surrounded by mountains, trapping pollution in the city.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from vehicles are a significant contributor to Mexico's pollution, as they are a precursor to ambient ozone and secondary particulate matter (PM2.5). The use of ethanol blends in gasoline, as allowed by recent fuel specification updates, is projected to increase VOC emissions in urban areas. This, combined with the already high levels of vehicle emissions, contributes to the overall air pollution problem in Mexico.
The transportation sector is a major contributor to Mexico's pollution, with the total annual emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter (PM2.5) quantified as being well above the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended levels. The high number of older vehicles on the road, along with the lack of enforcement of emissions regulations, exacerbates the problem.
To tackle the pollution problem caused by industrial growth and vehicle emissions, Mexico needs to prioritize the modification of mobility systems. This includes giving preference to public transport, electric mobility, and active transport such as cycling and walking. Additionally, stricter enforcement of emissions regulations and the adoption of newer, cleaner vehicle technologies can help reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality in Mexico.
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Population increase
Mexico City has experienced a rapid population increase since the 20th century. In 1950, the population was three million, and by 2015, it had increased to twenty million. This population boom was largely driven by migration, as people from all over the world were drawn to the city in search of better opportunities during the industrialization era. The increase in population, along with industrialization and a rise in vehicle usage, has had a significant impact on the city's air quality.
The combination of a growing population and industrialization has resulted in severe air pollution in Mexico City. Industrial activities and vehicle emissions contribute significantly to the poor air quality, with vehicles alone accounting for around 50% of the city's air pollution. The proliferation of vehicles has led to an increase in emissions from both private and public transport, further exacerbating the problem.
The geography of Mexico City also plays a role in trapping pollutants. The city is located in a basin surrounded by mountains, creating a bowl-like effect that hinders the dispersion of contaminants. The high altitude of the city, at 7382 feet above sea level, further contributes to the issue by causing oxygen levels to be 25% lower than at sea level. This leads to incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
The Mexican government has recognized the severity of air pollution and has implemented various plans to address the issue. These plans include citizen participation, vehicular restrictions, increasing green areas, and promoting bicycle accessibility. While Mexico City has made significant improvements, dropping to the 917th most polluted city in the world in 2021, air pollution remains a critical problem, causing approximately 5.9% of all deaths in the country.
To further improve air quality and protect public health, sustainable transportation options and efficient regulatory frameworks are necessary. The government must prioritize reducing emissions from the most polluting sectors and ensuring access to clean transportation systems for its citizens. While Mexico City has made remarkable progress in reducing air pollution, continued efforts and innovative solutions are needed to guarantee the right to a healthy environment for its growing population.
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Crop burning
Agricultural fires, including the burning of crops, are a common practice in Mexico. These fires are typically set by farmers to manage land, return nutrients to the soil, and clear the ground of unwanted plants. While these fires can enhance crops and grasses for pasture, they also produce smoke that degrades air quality, not just in Mexico but also in neighbouring regions.
Every year, hundreds of fires are detected in Mexico's Guerrero, Oaxaca, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco regions (as well as others in the Yucatan Peninsula). The agricultural burning season in Mexico usually occurs several months (March through May) before the growing season of June through October. During this time, southerly winds can carry smoke from agricultural fires in Mexico into parts of Texas, causing hazy skies and reduced air quality in cities like San Antonio.
The fires release various pollutants into the atmosphere, including fine and ultrafine particles (PM2.5 and PM10) that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Additionally, these fires emit carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a key component of smog.
While crop burning is a widespread agricultural practice globally, the regulation and enforcement of burning laws vary significantly between countries and even between neighbouring states. Strong restrictions are in place in the European Union and the United Kingdom, sharply curbing the amount of stubble burning that takes place across much of Europe. In contrast, countries like Ukraine, Serbia, and Russia, where agricultural burns are prohibited on paper, still witness widespread burning practices.
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Household cooking fuels
Air pollution in Mexico has been a major concern for decades, with Mexico City being declared the "most polluted city in the world" by the United Nations in 1992. While the country has made significant improvements since then, air pollution remains a critical issue with severe health, environmental, and economic consequences.
One significant contributor to air pollution in Mexico is the use of polluting household cooking fuels, particularly in lower-income neighbourhoods. Solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, coal, dung, and crop residues are burned indoors, releasing dangerous particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants. This type of household air pollution is a major source of health and environmental problems, increasing the risk of various diseases, including heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and pneumonia.
In Mexico, approximately 12% of respondents in a study relied primarily on polluting cooking fuels, which was more common in rural areas. The use of these polluting fuels has been associated with poorer cognitive function, suggesting that the indoor air pollution from burning these fuels may negatively impact the cognitive outcomes of older adults.
To address the issue of household air pollution from cooking fuels, Mexico has implemented policies and initiatives to promote the use of cleaner home cooking technologies and fuels. These include the EPA's Megacities Partnership, which provides a framework for developing and implementing comprehensive action plans to improve air quality and public health in cities. Additionally, the country has invested in electric buses and promoted the use of public transportation to reduce vehicular emissions, which are also a significant contributor to air pollution in Mexico.
While progress has been made, Mexico still faces challenges in reducing air pollution from household cooking fuels. Rapid urbanization, population growth, industrialization, and socio-economic disparities hinder the effectiveness of air quality initiatives. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, increasing public awareness, and continuing to invest in research and targeted interventions for vulnerable populations are crucial steps for Mexico to continue improving air quality and safeguarding the health and well-being of its citizens.
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Poor air quality health impacts
Poor air quality has a range of negative health impacts, and in Mexico, it is a real problem, causing about one in 17 (5.9%) of all deaths in the country. It is the eighth-largest cause of death, after factors such as diet, overweight, high blood pressure, alcohol and drug use, smoking, and lack of exercise.
The main pathway of exposure to air pollution is through the respiratory tract. Pollutants such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke, and vapour can enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body, impacting almost every organ. The lungs, heart, and brain are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Fine particulate matter (PM), such as PM2.5, is especially harmful as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 can cause coughing, itchy eyes, and worsen breathing and lung diseases, while long-term exposure can lead to lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.
Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth, and small gestational age births. There is also growing evidence that air pollution may affect neurological development in children, increasing the risk of asthma, and other respiratory issues. Air pollution has also been linked to an increased risk of developing neurological disorders in older populations, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other dementias.
In Mexico, the use of firewood or charcoal for cooking and heating is a significant source of indoor air pollution, with concentrations of PM2.5 in the air breathed in by those cooking being 11-26 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limit. This is particularly harmful to women and children, who spend a large proportion of their time indoors. Transitioning to cleaner fuels, such as propane (LPG), and improved cookstoves with chimneys can significantly reduce exposure to harmful pollutants and improve health outcomes.
Additionally, Mexico's rapid industrialization, sharp increases in population, proliferation of vehicles, and deforestation have all contributed to the country's air pollution problem. The topographical location of Mexico City, situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, also plays a role in trapping pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
The main cause of air pollution in Mexico is vehicle emissions, with over 3.5 million vehicles registered in the country, 30% of which are over 20 years old. The main cause of water pollution in Mexico is water scarcity, with nearly 43% of Mexico City lacking access to clean water.
The Mexican government has set a goal of achieving zero deforestation by 2030, with a focus on strengthening inspection and surveillance systems to prevent illegal changes in land use. The government is also investing 93.55 billion pesos (approximately 5 billion euros) in fifteen priority water projects, including the construction of dams, aqueducts, and irrigation districts.
Air pollution is a significant problem in Mexico, causing about 5.9% of all deaths in the country. It is the eighth-largest cause of death, after factors such as diet, overweight, high blood pressure, alcohol and drug use, smoking, and lack of exercise.
The use of organic fuels such as wood, crop residues, agricultural waste, and dried animal dung for cooking and heating is a major source of indoor air pollution in Mexico. When used in simple cooking stoves, these fuels emit large amounts of toxic pollutants, which can be particularly harmful in households with limited ventilation.
The water crisis in Mexico is a complex problem that requires long-term sustainable management, ongoing infrastructure investment, and public awareness. The crisis has been exacerbated by increased consumption during the pandemic, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and water loss due to leaks in the network.
