Meghan Hodges
Mexico has long struggled with air pollution, which is largely caused by human activities such as industrialisation, urbanisation, and vehicle emissions. In 1992, Mexico City was declared the most polluted city in the world by the United Nations, with its poor air quality posing a significant threat to public health and economic development. While Mexico has since implemented policies to reduce pollution, it remains a pressing issue with around 90% of the population breathing polluted air. This paragraph will explore the causes and impacts of pollution in Mexico, as well as the measures being taken to address this problem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution ranking in 2023 | 48th dirtiest city out of 98 |
| Most polluted city in Mexico in 2023 | Xonacatlán |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in Xonacatlán | 29.2 micrograms per cubic meter |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in Mexico City in 2023 | 22.3 micrograms per cubic meter |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in Mexico City in 2021 | 23.3 µg/m³ |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in Mexico City in 2019 | 12.1–35.4 µg/m³ |
| Number of cars per 1,000 residents in 1980 | 124 |
| Number of cars per 1,000 residents in 2010 | 267 |
| Air pollution-related deaths | 5.9% of all deaths in the country |
| Main sources of air pollution | Vehicle emissions, industrial emissions, and geographical location |
| Indoor air pollution source | Use of organic fuels for cooking and heating |
| Forest loss in 2018 | 262,000 hectares |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial growth and vehicle emissions
Mexico's industrial growth and vehicle emissions are major contributors to the country's air pollution problem. Mexico is the world's 12th largest exporter, and the industrial sector accounts for up to 35% of the country's GDP. The country's industrialization has resulted in the emission of over 11,000 tons of waste material into the atmosphere daily. Factories, power plants, and oil refineries emit large quantities of air pollutants, including sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). In Mexico City, 13% of PM2.5 contaminants come from the industrial sector.
The proliferation of vehicles on Mexico's roads has also contributed significantly to air pollution. The country has a rate of 358 vehicles per 1,000 people, with around 55 million vehicles as of 2022. While this is not exceptionally high compared to other countries, it is still a leading cause of Mexico's air pollution. The number of vehicles on the roads has increased over time, with 124 cars and light-duty trucks per 1,000 residents in 1980, rising to 267 per 1,000 residents in 2010. The poor quality of these vehicles and the use of toxic fuels have exacerbated the problem.
To combat vehicle emissions, the Mexican government has implemented several policies. The "Hoy No Circula" program, introduced in 1989, requires all vehicles in Mexico City and the State of Mexico to undergo emissions testing every six months. Underperforming vehicles are prohibited from being driven one weekday per week and two Saturdays per month. While the effectiveness of this policy has been questioned, other measures have been successful. The government's requirement to reformulate gasoline and prohibit driving one day per week has contributed to an 86% decrease in carbon monoxide (CO), a 53% decrease in ozone, and a 32% decrease in particulate matter over a 20-year span.
The impact of industrial growth and vehicle emissions on air quality in Mexico is severe. The country's annual mean levels of PM2.5 are consistently above the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit of 10 micrograms per square meter. Mexico City's average PM2.5 level is 23 micrograms per square meter, more than twice the WHO guideline. Other large cities, such as Puebla, Toluca, and Monterrey, have even higher ranges of 20-36 micrograms per square meter. The health consequences of this pollution are significant, with air pollution causing about 5.9% of all deaths in the country and contributing to various health issues, including asthma, bronchitis, and cancer.
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Population boom
Mexico City, the country's capital and largest city, has long struggled with air pollution. In 1992, the United Nations declared it the most polluted city on the planet, and in 1998, it was branded "the most dangerous city in the world for children." This was due to a combination of factors, including industrial growth, a population boom, and the proliferation of vehicles.
From 1950 to 2015, the population of Mexico City increased dramatically, from three million to twenty million. This rapid growth was largely driven by migrants seeking better opportunities, which in turn fuelled industrialization. The city's location in a valley, where air pollutants are trapped, and its high altitude, which results in lower oxygen levels, further exacerbated the problem.
The increase in population and industrialization led to a surge in vehicles on the road. The number of cars per resident may seem modest—in the 1980s, there were 124 cars per 1000 residents, increasing to 267 per 1000 in 2010. However, these cars were often old, poorly made, and ran on highly toxic fuel, emitting significant pollutants into the atmosphere. The topography of the city and the low wind speeds further prevented the dispersion of these pollutants.
The Mexican government has implemented various policies to address the air pollution crisis, recognizing its impact on public health and economic development. One notable initiative is the "Hoy No Circula" program, which restricts vehicle circulation based on emissions performance. While this program had limited initial success, it demonstrates the government's commitment to improving air quality and public health.
In addition to vehicle emissions, population growth has also impacted other sources of pollution. The expansion of livestock and agriculture, as well as the boom in crops such as soybeans, African palm, and avocado, have contributed to deforestation. In 2018, Mexico lost 262,000 hectares of natural forest, highlighting the complex interplay between population growth, land use, and environmental degradation.
While Mexico City's air quality has improved significantly, dropping to the 917th most polluted city in the world in 2021, it still exceeds the World Health Organization's guidelines for airborne particle concentration (PM2.5). Continuous monitoring and dissemination of air quality data, as well as citizen involvement, remain crucial in tackling this complex issue.
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Household fuel use
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.
One major source of pollution in Mexico is the use of firewood or charcoal for cooking, which is the primary source of fuel for over 16 million Mexicans, with many more using them as secondary fuels. The pollution levels in these households can be 6-15 times higher than in urban areas, severely damaging the health of those exposed. The use of simple cooking stoves with poor ventilation, particularly in rural areas, means that the people in the household, especially women and young children, are exposed to levels of toxic pollutants that are many times higher than World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The number of annual deaths in developing countries associated with domestic biomass combustion is considerable.
The use of firewood or charcoal for cooking has resulted in high concentrations of PM2.5 in the air, which can penetrate deep into the lungs. The WHO has set a limit for average outdoor ambient air pollution of 10 micrograms (thousandths of a gram) of PM2.5 per cubic metre of air (10µg/m3). However, average concentrations in Mexico City are about 25µg/m3, and in the range of 20-36µg/m3 in Puebla, Toluca, and Monterrey.
To reduce exposure to toxic pollutants, households can replace open fires and traditional stoves with improved cookstoves with chimneys, which can reduce exposure to PM2.5 by half. However, the average concentration of PM2.5 after this change is still about 80µg/m3, eight times the recommended limit. For greater improvements, households can transition to using propane (LPG), which is more expensive but more effective in reducing pollution. If all rural households used LPG, pollution may decline to 25µg/m3 or less.
In addition to household fuel use, other sources of pollution in Mexico include industrial growth, a sharp increase in population, the proliferation of vehicles, wildfires, and the uncontrolled burning of solid waste by households.
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Crop burning
Air pollution is a significant problem in Mexico, causing about one in 17 (5.9%) of all deaths in the country. It is the eighth-largest cause of death, and the most dangerous airborne particles are known as PM2.5. These particles are less than 2.5 thousandths of a millimetre across and can penetrate deep into the lungs. While Mexico City has been named the world's most polluted city in the past, it has since dropped to the 917th most polluted city in 2021.
One of the causes of air pollution in Mexico is crop burning, or agricultural fires. From 2003 to 2014, agricultural fires accounted for 40% of all detected burns in Mexico. These fires release smoke and particles into the atmosphere, contributing to poor air quality. The smoke and particles from these fires can be transported over long distances by wind, affecting not only local areas but also neighbouring regions. For example, smoke from agricultural fires in Mexico has been known to impact air quality in Texas.
The impact of agricultural fires on air quality is influenced by various environmental conditions. For instance, above-average temperatures, low rainfall, prolonged drought, higher solar radiation, and high-pressure systems can all contribute to the worsening of air quality during fire seasons. The topographical location of Mexico City, situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, also plays a role in trapping pollution. Additionally, the city's considerable height further contributes to the containment of pollutants.
To address the issue of agricultural fires and improve air quality, Mexico has implemented policies and initiatives. One notable policy is the "Hoy No Circula," which restricts vehicle circulation based on their emissions performance. However, the effectiveness of such policies has been questioned, as air pollution levels did not significantly decrease even after several years of implementation.
Another critical factor contributing to air pollution in Mexico is the use of firewood or charcoal for cooking in rural households. The pollution levels in these households can be 6-15 times higher than in urban areas, severely impacting the health of those exposed. Transitioning to improved cookstoves with chimneys or more expensive propane (LPG) can significantly reduce pollution and improve health outcomes.
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Regulatory failures
Mexico has been facing a pollution problem for decades, with Mexico City being labelled the world's most polluted city in 1992 by the United Nations. The city's location in a basin surrounded by mountains, coupled with its high altitude, makes it particularly susceptible to trapping air pollutants. While the air quality has improved significantly since then, dropping to the 917th most polluted city in the world in 2021, regulatory failures have still played a significant role in the country's pollution problem.
One major regulatory failure in Mexico is the lack of strict emission standards and their enforcement. While there are emissions testing requirements for vehicles in Mexico City and the state of Mexico, with vehicles being issued verifications based on their performance, the effectiveness of this policy has been questioned. The policy, known as "Hoy No Circula", prohibits underperforming vehicles from being driven one weekday per week and two Saturdays per month. However, it has not led to a significant decrease in air pollution levels.
In addition, Mexico has a lax and outdated regulatory framework that determines the maximum limits for pollutants in the air. This has resulted in more than 90% of the population breathing polluted air. The government has also been criticised for not generating valid and timely information on air quality. The frequent activity of the nearby volcano Popocatepetl has been linked to increased contamination levels in Mexico City, but this has not been adequately addressed.
Furthermore, Mexico's industrial sector, which accounts for up to 35% of the country's GDP, has been a major contributor to air pollution. Factories, power plants, and oil refineries have emitted large quantities of pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. While the government has taken steps to close or relocate some polluting factories, the slow implementation of low-sulphur standards and the use of fuel ethers have contributed to decreased pollutant levels over time.
Lastly, indoor air pollution in Mexico is a significant issue, with over 16 million Mexicans cooking primarily with firewood or charcoal. These cooking fuels emit substantial amounts of toxic pollutants, and the lack of proper ventilation in many households exacerbates the problem. While improved cookstoves with chimneys can reduce exposure to pollutants, the more expensive propane (LPG) is the best option for improving air quality. However, not all households can afford this transition, and the government has not implemented policies to address this issue comprehensively.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, air pollution in Mexico is the eighth-largest cause of death in the country, causing about one in 17 deaths. The country's average PM2.5 concentrations have ranged from 18.9-20.3 micrograms per square meter since 2018, placing Mexico as having the 46th highest PM 2.5 concentration in the world.
Air pollution in Mexico is primarily the result of human activities. The industrial sector accounts for up to 35% of the country's GDP, with factories and power plants emitting large quantities of air pollutants. In Mexico City, 13% of all PM2.5 contaminants come from the industrial sector. The proliferation of vehicles, rapid industrial growth, and population boom are also major contributors.
Air pollution in Mexico impacts the health, environment, and economy of the country. It is linked to various health issues, including asthma, bronchitis, and cancer. The treatment of these diseases results in substantial healthcare costs, causing a significant financial burden on Mexico's healthcare system. Air pollution can also harm plants and animals, disrupt ecosystems, and reduce biodiversity.
The Mexican government has implemented several policies to reduce air pollution, including requiring gasoline reformulation, closing or moving polluting factories, and prohibiting drivers from using their cars one day a week. The government has also implemented vehicular restrictions, increased green areas, and expanded bicycle accessibility. In addition, simple improvements such as replacing open fires and traditional stoves with improved cookstoves that have chimneys can reduce exposure to indoor air pollution.
