Brian Barton
Lima, Peru, is one of the most polluted cities in Latin America. The city's poor air quality is largely caused by vehicle emissions, with over 5,000 deaths between 2007 and 2011 attributed to pollution from public transport. The problem is exacerbated by the inefficiency of the public transport system, which forces many residents to spend long periods in congested areas. While air pollution in Lima has improved in recent years, it continues to have a detrimental impact on the health of its residents, and has been linked to higher COVID-19 infection and mortality rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution in Latin America | Worst |
| Air pollution in the world | One of the highest |
| Population | 9-10 million |
| Average level of micrograms | 38 |
| Northern Cone pollution level | 58 micrograms |
| Eastern Lima pollution level | 36 micrograms |
| Southern Lima pollution level | 29 micrograms |
| Most polluted districts | Ate and El Agustino |
| Causes of pollution | Poor fuel quality, old vehicles, dramatic increase in private vehicles |
| Deaths due to pollution | 5000 between 2007 and 2011 |
| Percentage of deaths attributable to public transport pollution | 80% |
| Health issues | Lung problems, bronchitis, asthma |
| COVID-19 cases as of June 12, 2020 | 128,700 |
| COVID-19 deaths | 2,382 |
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What You'll Learn
- Lima has the worst air pollution of all Latin American cities
- Air pollution in Lima is linked to high COVID-19 infection and mortality rates
- Lima's vehicular pollution is largely due to its transport emissions
- Lima's air pollution disproportionately affects the poorest citizens
- Air pollution in Lima leads to acid rain, contaminating the water
Lima has the worst air pollution of all Latin American cities
Lima, Peru, is a metropolitan area with a population of almost 10 million people, making it one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the country and the second most populous city in the Americas. Unfortunately, Lima is also notorious for its poor air quality. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, Lima has the worst air pollution of all Latin American cities. The report, which analysed 1,600 cities in 91 countries, found that only 12% of the world's urban population breathes clean air.
The air quality in Lima is so poor that it has been linked to various health issues, including lung problems such as bronchitis. In fact, according to CIES, a consortium of 48 economic and social research institutions in Peru, the high pollution rate caused over 5,000 deaths between 2007 and 2011, with 80% of these directly attributable to pollution from public transport. The main causes of the city's pollution are poor fuel quality and the large number of old vehicles on the road.
The problem is further exacerbated by the dramatic increase in private vehicles, creating heavy traffic congestion not only in industrial and densely populated areas but throughout the city. While systems like the Metropolitano (which uses gas) and the Lima Metro (which is electric) have helped to reduce pollution, it has not been enough. Additionally, the impact of pollution is unevenly distributed, with wealthy and elite groups generally being able to insulate themselves from its effects more effectively than poor or marginalised groups.
To address this issue, preventative measures and initiatives such as the Clean Air Initiative committee for Lima and Callao have been implemented. Air quality maps are also available to help citizens, especially vulnerable groups, avoid areas with high pollution concentrations. However, despite some improvements in recent years, Lima still has a long way to go in reducing its air pollution levels and improving the health of its citizens.
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Air pollution in Lima is linked to high COVID-19 infection and mortality rates
Lima, Peru, is a highly populated metropolitan area nestled between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most polluted cities in Latin America, with air pollution levels reaching as high as 58 micrograms in certain areas. The primary sources of air pollution in Lima are poor fuel quality and vehicle emissions, particularly from older public transport vehicles.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the issue of air pollution and its impact on public health into sharp focus. Several studies have found a link between air pollution in Lima and higher infection and mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One study, which analysed data from 24 districts in Lima with different levels of PM2.5 exposure in the years preceding the pandemic, found a positive association between previous exposure to PM2.5 and the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The study concluded that long-term exposure to high levels of PM2.5 increased the susceptibility of individuals to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, leading to higher infection and mortality rates in Lima.
Furthermore, despite Peru's early implementation of strict lockdown and quarantine measures, Lima continued to experience a high number of COVID-19 cases. This suggests that the high levels of air pollution in the city may have contributed to the spread and severity of the virus.
The findings from Lima are consistent with other studies that have explored the link between air pollution and COVID-19 outcomes globally. For example, a study in the United States found that an increase in long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an 8% increased risk of COVID-19 mortality. Similarly, a study across regions in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain found that 83% of COVID-19 fatalities occurred in regions with the highest nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration.
Overall, the evidence suggests that air pollution in Lima is linked to high COVID-19 infection and mortality rates, highlighting the importance of addressing air quality issues to protect public health during the pandemic and beyond.
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Lima's vehicular pollution is largely due to its transport emissions
Lima, Peru's capital, has the worst air pollution of all Latin American cities, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report that analysed 1600 cities in 91 countries. The report found that the average level of harmful fine particles, known as PM2.5, in Lima's air is 38 micrograms per square meter, far above the clean air threshold of 10 micrograms per square meter.
The impact of transport emissions on air quality is evident, with CIES, a consortium of 48 economic and social research institutions in Peru, attributing over 5000 deaths between 2007 and 2011 to pollution from public transport. This accounts for 80% of the total deaths caused by the high pollution rate during that period. The northern cone of the city, including Ventanilla, Puente Piedra, and San Martín de Porres, has the highest pollution levels, reaching 58 micrograms of PM2.5.
To address vehicular pollution, Lima has implemented systems like the Metropolitano, which uses gas, and the Lima Metro, which is electric. However, these systems have not entirely mitigated the pollution issue. Additionally, there is a notable correlation between the amount of green space and vegetation in a district and the wealth of its residents. Wealthier areas with more vegetation benefit from reduced pollution as traffic pollutants are deposited on plants at a higher rate than on hard, built surfaces. This further exacerbates the unequal impact of air pollution in Lima, as lower-income residents who primarily rely on public transportation are more vulnerable to the health risks associated with transport emissions.
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Lima's air pollution disproportionately affects the poorest citizens
Lima, Peru, has the worst air pollution of all Latin American cities, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report that analysed 1600 cities in 91 countries. The report found that the air in Lima contains an average of 38 micrograms of fine particles, known as PM 2.5, per square meter, far exceeding the 10 micrograms considered the threshold for clean air.
While air pollution affects everyone in Lima, it disproportionately impacts the poorest citizens. The impacts of toxic air pollution are "distributed extremely unevenly and unjustly," with wealthy and elite groups better able to insulate themselves from its effects. For example, the most polluted parts of the city are in the northern cone (Ventanilla, Puente Piedra, and San Martín de Porres), where pollution levels reach 58 micrograms, while in eastern Lima, home to wealthier residents, the level is 36, and in the south, it is 29.
The disparity in health services between middle-income and poor citizens also contributes to the unequal impact of air pollution. Those with access to private healthcare are better equipped to deal with the health problems caused by air pollution, such as bronchitis and other lung problems.
Furthermore, there is a correlation between the amount of green space and vegetation in a district and the amount of wealth. The elite live surrounded by vegetation, which helps reduce pollution, while the poorest citizens often live in congested avenues with no vegetation, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution.
The public transport system in Lima is also a significant contributor to air pollution, with 75% of people relying on it for their daily commute, spending an average of 2 hours per day travelling. These individuals are among the most affected by air pollution, as they spend a significant amount of time in congested areas with high levels of pollution.
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Air pollution in Lima leads to acid rain, contaminating the water
Lima, Peru's capital, is one of the most polluted cities in Latin America, with air pollution posing a significant challenge. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Lima has the worst air quality among Latin American cities. The city's air pollution has severe health implications for its residents, and it also contributes to environmental degradation, including acid rain, which further contaminates water sources.
Air pollution in Lima is largely attributed to poor fuel quality and an ageing vehicle fleet. The dense traffic congestion, caused partly by a surge in private vehicles, exacerbates the problem. The public transport system, including old buses that emit black smoke, is a significant contributor to air pollution. The high levels of PM2.5, fine particles that are harmful to human health, have been linked to various health issues among residents.
The impact of air pollution in Lima is unevenly distributed, affecting different socio-economic classes differently. While air pollution can impact everyone, wealthier individuals and groups often have better insulation from its effects. They may reside in districts with more green spaces and vegetation, which help reduce pollution levels. In contrast, those relying on public transport or living in congested areas with limited vegetation are more vulnerable to the health risks associated with air pollution.
The Peruvian government has taken some measures to address the issue, such as banning the import of used vehicles and removing older public transport vehicles from the roads. However, the dramatic increase in private vehicles has offset some of these gains. Lima's air pollution has also been linked to a higher incidence of COVID-19 cases, as studies suggest that exposure to high levels of PM2.5 may have increased susceptibility to the virus.
Acid rain, a consequence of air pollution, further exacerbates the environmental challenges in Lima. When air pollutants, particularly sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, react with water vapour and oxygen in the atmosphere, they form acidic compounds. These compounds then mix with water droplets in clouds, resulting in acid rain. The acid rain contaminates water sources, including rivers, lakes, and groundwater, posing risks to both human health and the ecosystem.
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Frequently asked questions
Lima is one of the most polluted cities in Latin America. According to the World Health Organization, it has the worst air pollution of all Latin American cities.
One of the primary sources of air pollution in Lima is car exhaust. The city is a metropolitan area with many vehicles, and the aging vehicle fleet contributes to the release of pollutants into the atmosphere. Public transportation, including the Lima metro and buses, also contributes to air pollution. In addition, the city's population of almost 10 million people leads to other sources of pollution, such as transportation and jobs.
Exposure to air pollution in Lima has been linked to various immediate and permanent health problems. A study by Tapia et al. (2023) found that 59% of death records of 86,970 people in Lima were from respiratory causes. Air pollution has also been associated with a higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality due to COVID-19.
The City and Peruvian National Government have implemented policies to reduce air pollution, including the pedestrianisation of the Historic Centre as part of the Historic Centre Masterplan 2019-2029. This is expected to reduce pollution-related deaths and PM2.5 concentrations in the area. Other policies include encouraging public transport, reviewing vehicle emissions standards, and implementing a Sustainable Urban Transport Policy.
