Greta Jimenez
Mexico City has long been considered one of the most polluted cities in the world, with air pollution causing one in every seventeen deaths in the country. The city's pollution problem can be traced back to the 20th century when Mexico City underwent rapid industrialization and urbanization, resulting in a population boom. This led to an increase in human activities that severely impacted air quality. The topography of the city, located in a basin surrounded by mountains, also contributes to trapping air pollutants. Various factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and the use of fossil fuels, have all played a role in the city's poor air quality. While the Mexican government has implemented policies to combat air pollution, the problem persists, and it continues to be a major health and environmental concern for the residents of Mexico City.
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What You'll Learn
Industrialisation and urbanisation
Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, was once the world's most polluted city. The air quality in Mexico City reached its peak in the 1980s and 1990s, with ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and airborne particles, all five major air pollutants, at their record levels. These air pollutants were mostly generated by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels in power plants and vehicle emissions.
During the 20th century, Mexico City was undergoing rapid industrialisation and urbanisation. The population of the metropolitan area, also called Greater Mexico City, located in the valley of Mexico, grew substantially from 3.1 million in the 1950s to 14 million in the 1980s. The rapid growth in population, the increase in manpower, and human activities led to severely poor air quality. The industrial growth was responsible for emitting over 11,000 tons of waste material into the atmosphere every day.
The proliferation of vehicles and the use of toxic fuel also contributed to the poor air quality. In the 1980s, there were about 124 cars per 1000 residents, and these cars were made of poor quality and ran on very toxic fuel. The topography of Mexico City, located in a basin surrounded by mountains, also did not favour its industrialisation as air pollutants tend to be trapped. The high altitude of the city, at 7382 feet above sea level, caused its oxygen levels to be 25% lower, and carbon-based fuels did not combust completely.
The Mexican government has recognised the severity of air pollution and has implemented a range of policies to combat it, including vehicular restrictions, the expansion of public transportation, the increase of green areas, and expanded bicycle accessibility. As a result, Mexico City has seen a significant improvement in air quality, dropping to the 917th most polluted city in the world in 2021. However, air pollution in Mexico City still remains above global averages and needs to be addressed further.
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Poor-quality cars and toxic fuel
Mexico City has long struggled with air pollution, which peaked in the 1980s and 1990s. The city was labelled the "most polluted city in the world" by the United Nations in 1992. While the air quality has improved significantly since then, dropping to 917th place in 2021, air pollution still poses a serious problem.
One of the main factors contributing to Mexico City's poor air quality in the 1980s was the proliferation of poor-quality cars running on toxic fuel. At that time, there were about 124 cars per 1,000 residents. While this number might not seem high, the vehicles were of low quality and emitted large amounts of pollutants. The use of fuel ethers, in particular, contributed to high levels of ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and airborne particles—all major air pollutants.
The poor quality of cars in Mexico City during this period can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the country was experiencing a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization, with many unregulated, highly polluting factories, power plants, and oil refineries operating in the city. This led to a high demand for affordable, entry-level vehicles, which may have compromised the quality of the cars produced or imported. Additionally, Mexico City's topography does not lend itself to industrialization. The city is located in a basin, which means air pollutants tend to be trapped, exacerbating the problem.
The use of toxic fuel in these vehicles further compounded the issue. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, were commonly used and released harmful chemicals and gases into the atmosphere when burned. The combustion of carbon-based fuels, in particular, was incomplete due to the high altitude of Mexico City, leading to even more pollutants in the air. Furthermore, the slow implementation of low-sulphur standards for fuel and the lack of regulations around polluting industries at the time contributed to the widespread use of toxic fuel.
To combat air pollution, the Mexican government has implemented various measures over the years, including the "Hoy No Circula" program, which restricts driving on certain days of the week, and the ProAire initiative, which aims for sustainable development and the reduction of energy consumption. The government has also worked to close or move polluting factories, tighten regulations on fuel and cars, and expand public transportation options. These efforts have led to notable improvements in air quality, with ozone and other air pollutants dropping to levels comparable to Los Angeles by 2012.
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Non-regulated factories, power plants and oil refineries
During the 20th century, Mexico City's population rapidly increased as industrialization attracted thousands of migrants from across the globe. This rapid and unexpected growth, coupled with the topography of Mexico City, contributed to the city's poor air quality. The city is located in a basin where air pollutants tend to be trapped, and its high altitude of 7382 feet above sea level results in oxygen levels that are 25% lower.
Non-regulated factories, power plants, and oil refineries were once prevalent across Mexico City, contributing significantly to the city's air pollution crisis. These industrial sites emitted harmful pollutants directly into the environment, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. The combustion of fossil fuels in power plants and the operation of vehicles further exacerbated the problem.
The Mexican government has since taken significant steps to address this issue. In the 1980s, the government implemented the "Hoy No Circula" policy, which required vehicles to undergo emissions testing and prohibited high-polluting vehicles from circulating on certain days. While this policy had limited success, the government continued its efforts by requiring the reformulation of gasoline, closing or relocating polluting factories, and expanding public transportation options.
In recent years, there has been a push to upgrade existing oil refineries and infrastructure. Pemex, a Mexican oil company, has received significant financial support from the government to strengthen its operations. Additionally, the opening of the upstream oil and gas market has created opportunities for private contractors and suppliers to participate in refinery upgrades and the modernization of gasoline stations.
However, the current administration's regulatory changes have also limited private sector participation, particularly in the midstream and downstream sectors. The energy regulator, Comisión Reguladora de Energía (CRE), has played a role in restricting private oil companies' exploratory activities. Despite these challenges, efforts to upgrade existing infrastructure are expected to drive private sector investment and provide opportunities for U.S. companies to collaborate in Mexico's energy sector.
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Topography of Mexico City
Mexico City is located in a valley or basin surrounded by mountains, which almost forms a bowl-like container. The city is built on land formed from the erosion of the mountains, resulting in a rugged terrain filled with volcanoes, hills, canyons, and ravines. The mountains surrounding Mexico City include the Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre Occidental, which are extensions of the Rocky Mountains, and the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, also known as the Sierra Nevada. The highest elevations in the area are Pico de Orizaba (18,701 ft), Popocatepetl (17,920 ft), Iztaccihuatl (17,343 ft), and Nevado de Toluca (15,016 ft). The downtown area of Mexico City sits at an elevation of 7,350 feet, while overall elevations average above 8,000 feet. The city's high altitude results in oxygen levels that are 25% lower, which, along with the topography that traps air pollutants, contributed to the city's historical air pollution problem.
The Valley of Mexico, where Mexico City is located, was once covered by a series of lakes. These lakes were drained by elaborate water-supply and drainage systems commissioned by the Aztec and Spanish rulers. The lacustrine plains that remain make up one-fourth of the city and Federal District's area. The basin is surrounded by volcanic mountain ranges, including the Cordillera Neo-Volcánica (Neo-Volcanic Range) and the Sierra de las Cruces. The slopes of these mountains are covered with volcanoes, ancient lava beds, and mangrove forests.
The metropolitan area of Mexico City extends onto the surrounding Neo-Volcánica slopes, including the western Monte Alto and Monte Bajo ranges. Several peaks in the southern part of the district include Tláloc, Chichinautzin, Pelado, and Ajusco, the latter being the highest point in the capital at 12,896 feet. To the east, the built-up area extends from old lake beds onto a broad inclined plain that leads to the highest promontories of the Sierra Nevada.
The basin-like topography of Mexico City, surrounded by mountains, has contributed to the city's historical air pollution problem. The city's high altitude and enclosed geography trap air pollutants, leading to the accumulation of smog. The topography, combined with industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and the use of carbon-based fuels, resulted in Mexico City being named the world's most polluted city by the United Nations in 1992.
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Population growth
Mexico City has long been a centre of concern for air pollution, with the air quality reaching its peak in the 1980s and 1990s. The population of the metropolitan area of the valley of Mexico, also called Greater Mexico City, grew substantially from 3.1 million in the 1950s to 14 million in the 1980s, and 20 million in 2015. This rapid population growth, coupled with increasing motorization and industrial activities, severely impacted the air quality.
The proliferation of vehicles contributed significantly to the poor air quality in Mexico City. The number of cars and light-duty trucks per 1000 residents increased from 124 in 1980 to 267 in 2010. These vehicles, along with industrial sources, emitted high levels of ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and airborne particles—all major air pollutants. The topography of Mexico City, located in a basin surrounded by mountains, also trapped air pollutants and prevented their dispersion.
The Mexican government has implemented various policies and regulations to combat air pollution, recognizing the severe health and economic impacts of poor air quality. The "Hoy No Circula" policy, introduced in 1989, restricts vehicles from being driven on certain days of the week based on their emissions performance. However, the effectiveness of this policy has been questioned, as air pollution levels did not significantly decrease after its implementation.
To address the issue, the government has also focused on vehicular restrictions, the expansion of public transportation, and the closure or relocation of polluting factories. These measures, along with the reformulation of gasoline, have contributed to significant improvements in air quality. By 2021, Mexico City's ranking had dropped to the 917th most polluted city globally, a remarkable improvement from its previous position as the world's most polluted city.
While population growth and urbanization have played a significant role in the pollution problem in Mexico City, the Mexican government's efforts to reduce emission levels and improve air quality have yielded notable results. However, there is still work to be done to meet international standards and ensure the right to a healthy environment for all citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
The main causes of pollution in Mexico are emissions from cars and other vehicles, industrialisation, urbanisation, deforestation, and the use of organic fuels for cooking and heating.
The Mexican government has implemented various policies to combat pollution, including vehicular restrictions, incentives for the purchase of cleaner vehicles, investments in public transport, the construction of bike lanes, and the curbing of heavy industry.
Pollution has had a significant impact on the health and income of people in Mexico, particularly those from lower-income neighbourhoods and informal workers. It has been estimated that air pollution causes about one in seventeen (5.9%) of all deaths in the country and is the eighth-largest cause of death.
To reduce pollution in Mexico, it is essential to tackle the problem at its source by modifying mobility systems to prioritise public transport, active transport such as cycling and walking, and reducing emissions from vehicles. Additionally, strengthening inspection and surveillance systems to prevent illegal changes in land use and promoting the transition to cleaner fuels for cooking and heating can also help reduce pollution levels.
