Greta Jimenez
Air pollution is a pressing issue in Mexico, causing about 5.9% of all deaths in the country. Mexico City, in particular, has been a hub of industrialisation and urbanisation, with its population growing from 3 million in the 1950s to 20 million in 2015. This rapid growth, coupled with increased industrial activities and motorisation, has resulted in severe air quality problems. The topography of Mexico City, situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, also contributes to the trapping of air pollutants. While the city has implemented measures to improve air quality, such as driving restrictions and incentives for cleaner vehicles, the persistence of air pollution remains a health, labour, and quality-of-life concern for its residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 22 million |
| Population growth | From 3 million in 1950 to 20 million in 2015 |
| Industrial growth | 11,000 tons of waste material emitted into the atmosphere daily |
| Proliferation of vehicles | 124 cars per 1,000 residents in 1980, 267 in 2010 |
| Topography | Located in a basin surrounded by mountains, at a high altitude |
| Regulatory framework | Lax and outdated |
| Health impact | One in 17 deaths in the country |
| Household fuel | 16 million Mexicans cook with firewood or charcoal |
| Wildfires | 66 fires in the capital in 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth
Mexico City has seen a rapid increase in its population in the last few decades. The population of the metropolitan area of the valley of Mexico, also called Greater Mexico City, grew from 3.1 million in the 1950s to 14 million in the 1980s. By 2015, the population had reached 20 million, and today it is estimated to be around 22 million.
This population boom was largely due to migrants seeking better opportunities, which in turn led to industrialization. The rapid and unexpected growth resulted in severely poor air quality, with the UN declaring Mexico City the most polluted city in the world in 1992.
The proliferation of vehicles is a significant factor in the city's air pollution. As the population increased, so did the number of cars and trucks per 1000 residents, from 124 in 1980 to 267 by 2010. These vehicles were often of poor quality and ran on highly toxic fuel, emitting harmful pollutants into the air.
The basin-like topography of Mexico City also plays a role in trapping air pollutants. The city is surrounded by mountains, forming a natural container that, combined with the high altitude, makes it difficult for pollutants to disperse.
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Industrial activities
The proliferation of vehicles is another significant factor. The number of cars and light-duty trucks per 1,000 residents increased from 124 in 1980 to 267 in 2010. In addition, these vehicles were of poor quality and used highly toxic fuel, further exacerbating the pollution problem. The basin-like topography of Mexico City, surrounded by mountains, also contributes to trapping air pollutants.
The Mexican government has implemented various measures to combat air pollution, including the Management Programme to Improve Air Quality (Proaire), which has helped reduce pollution levels significantly. Other initiatives include driving restrictions, incentives for cleaner vehicles, investments in public transport, the creation of bike lanes, and curbing heavy industry. However, air pollution remains a pressing issue, affecting public health and quality of life for residents.
The top pollutants in Mexico City include ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and airborne particles (PM2.5 and PM10). These pollutants are generated from industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels in power plants. The frequent activity of the nearby volcanic Popocatepetl has also been linked to increased contamination levels in the city.
To further mitigate air pollution from industrial activities, Mexico can continue to promote the use of cleaner technologies, improve energy efficiency, and regulate fuel consumption in the industrial sector. Additionally, the implementation of stricter emission standards and the transition to more sustainable practices can help reduce the environmental impact of industrial activities in the country.
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Vehicle emissions
The poor quality of vehicles and the use of toxic fuel have also contributed to high levels of vehicle emissions. In the 1980s and 1990s, cars in Mexico City were made with poor-quality materials and ran on highly toxic fuel, resulting in high emissions of ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and airborne particles. These air pollutants are known to have severe health impacts, with air pollution causing about 5.9% of all deaths in the country.
To combat vehicle emissions, the Mexican government has implemented various measures over the years. In 1990, the government introduced air quality management programs aimed at reducing emissions, including removing lead from gasoline and implementing catalytic converters in automobiles. More recently, the government has required the reformulation of gasoline, the closure or relocation of polluting factories, and the prohibition of driving one day a week ("Hoy No Circula"). These measures have helped improve air quality, with Mexico City dropping to the 917th most polluted city in the world in 2021.
However, despite these efforts, air pollution from vehicle emissions remains a concern. The number of autos in the city continues to increase yearly, and the lengthening of automobile trips due to urban sprawl further contributes to emissions. Experts believe that emissions from cars and other road vehicles are a significant source of air pollution in Mexico. The government has also been criticized for loosening controls and allowing more vehicles on the roads, although this is denied by the city government.
To further reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality, Mexico needs to promote public transport and regulate fuel consumption. This includes increasing the supply of medium and high-capacity public transport, improving the energy efficiency of motor vehicles, and promoting non-polluting means of transport. By implementing these measures, Mexico can reduce the health risks associated with vehicle emissions and improve the quality of life for its citizens.
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Wildfires
The impact of these wildfires on air quality is significant. Wildfire smoke adds to the already poor air quality in Mexico, which is largely driven by emissions from fossil fuel-powered vehicles and power plants. The smoke contains particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3), which have detrimental effects on human health. In 2024, wildfires in Mexico produced large plumes of smoke, visible on satellite imagery, that spread northward towards Texas and the Gulf Coast, reducing air quality in the region to ''unhealthy' levels.
The topographical location of Mexico City, situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, further exacerbates the issue. This basin-like formation traps air pollutants, including those from wildfires, leading to even worse air quality. The city's high altitude also contributes to lower oxygen levels, and carbon-based fuels do not combust completely, adding to the air pollution problem.
The Mexican government has recognized the urgency of addressing air quality and has implemented various programs to reduce emissions. These include removing lead from gasoline, mandating catalytic converters in automobiles, reducing sulphur content in diesel fuel, and substituting fuel oil with natural gas in industry and power plants. Additionally, plans to reduce emission levels encompass citizen participation, vehicular restrictions, increased green areas, and expanded bicycle accessibility.
Overall, wildfires in Mexico significantly contribute to air pollution, impacting public health and the environment. The combination of dry conditions, rising temperatures, and Mexico's unique topography creates a challenging situation that requires urgent action and effective mitigation strategies to protect the health and well-being of those affected.
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Outdated regulatory framework
Mexico has been facing a persistent air quality crisis for decades, with over 90% of the population breathing polluted air. An outdated regulatory framework has been a significant contributor to this issue.
The regulatory framework that determines the maximum limits for pollutants in the air is outdated and lax, prioritizing economic growth over human health. This has led to a lack of valid and timely information on air quality from the State, with no concrete data on air pollution-related deaths. The framework has failed to keep up with the rapid industrialization and urbanization that Mexico has undergone since the 20th century, resulting in insufficient measures to control air pollution.
The outdated regulatory framework has allowed for the proliferation of highly polluting industries, power plants, and oil refineries, which operate with little to no regulation. The framework has also failed to address the issue of poor-quality vehicles running on toxic fuel, with more than 3.5 million registered vehicles in the country, 30% of which are over 20 years old. The standards for fuel quality and vehicle emissions are not effectively enforced, contributing to the high levels of ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and airborne particles (PM2.5).
The Mexican government has recognized the urgency of the situation and has taken steps to address the outdated regulatory framework. Successive local governments have implemented driving restrictions, incentivized the purchase of cleaner vehicles, invested in public transport, promoted the use of non-polluting means of transport, and curbed heavy industry. However, the impact of these measures has been offset by the continued increase in the number of vehicles on the road.
It is clear that a comprehensive update to the regulatory framework is long overdue. The framework must prioritize human health and the environment, enforce strict emission reduction targets, and promote sustainable practices across all sectors. By addressing the outdated regulatory framework, Mexico can take a significant step towards improving air quality and protecting the health and well-being of its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution in Mexico is mainly caused by population growth, industrial activities, and increasing motorization.
Mexico City is located in a basin surrounded by mountains, almost like a bowl, which makes it difficult for pollutants to disperse. The city's high altitude also results in lower oxygen levels.
The Mexican government has implemented various measures to improve air quality, including driving restrictions, incentives for cleaner vehicles, investments in public transport, and the creation of bike lanes. They have also introduced the Management Programme to Improve Air Quality (Proaire) and worked on management plans to coordinate efforts across all states.
Air pollution in Mexico has been linked to respiratory diseases, with a particular impact on informal workers. It is estimated to cause about 5.9% of all deaths in the country, making it the eighth-largest cause of death.
The main sources of air pollutants in Mexico City are vehicles, factories, and wildfires. The use of carbon-based fuels and the proliferation of older, less efficient cars have also contributed to the problem.
