Brian Barton
Mexico City has long been notorious for its poor air quality, with the United Nations declaring it the world's most polluted city in 1992. The city's high altitude, industrialization, and proliferation of vehicles have contributed to a toxic mix of pollutants, including ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and airborne particles. While the air quality has improved significantly since the 1980s and 1990s, air pollution remains a pressing issue, with recent data showing it still exceeds World Health Organization guidelines. This pollution has severe health, economic, and quality-of-life implications for residents, especially those from lower-income backgrounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Pollutants | Ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and airborne particles |
| Population | 22 million |
| Air Quality Ranking | 917th most polluted city in the world in 2021 |
| Particulate Matter Concentration (PM2.5) | 22.3 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 |
| Primary Pollutants | Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide |
| Secondary Pollutants | Sulfate, Ozone |
| Health Effects | Respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Central Nervous System issues, Early Death, Reproductive Health Problems |
| Government Initiatives | Reformulated Gasoline, Closure/Relocation of Polluting Factories, Vehicle Restrictions, Expansion of Public Transportation, Vehicular Emissions Testing |
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What You'll Learn
Population growth, industrialisation and urbanisation
Mexico City has long dealt with air pollution, which has been a concern for the city's population and health officials for decades. In 1992, the United Nations declared it the "most polluted city on the planet". The pollution is caused by a combination of population growth, industrialisation, and urbanisation.
Population Growth
Mexico City's population has grown rapidly since the 1950s, when it stood at around three million people. By 1960, it had increased to 5.5 million, and by 1980, it had skyrocketed to 14 million. This growth was fuelled largely by domestic migration, as thousands of people arrived in the city in search of economic opportunities and jobs in the manufacturing industry. By the early 21st century, the metropolitan area's population had reached 20 million, with more than half living beyond the Federal District's boundaries.
Industrialisation
The industrialisation era, which began in the 1950s, was responsible for emitting over 11,000 tons of waste material into the atmosphere daily. This rapid industrial growth was a significant contributor to air pollution, along with the proliferation of vehicles. The number of cars and light-duty trucks per 1000 residents increased from 124 in 1980 to 267 in 2010. The use of carbon-based fuels, which do not combust completely, also contributes to the city's pollution levels.
Urbanisation
The process of urbanisation in Mexico City, particularly the expansion of informal settlements and shanty towns, has been driven by the influx of migrants from rural areas. The city's urban zone, characterised by residential, industrial, service, and commercial land use, covers 12,224 hectares. The peri-urban zone, on the other hand, experiences high urban growth rates and is characterised by a mix of land uses, including financial, commercial, housing, and services. The Santa Fe mega-project, established in the 1980s, triggered urban sprawl and a mix of land uses, with high-income populations living in the centre and low-income communities on the outskirts.
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Vehicle emissions
The proliferation of vehicles in Mexico City has exacerbated the problem of vehicle emissions. The number of cars and light-duty trucks per 1000 residents increased from 124 in 1980 to 267 in 2010, and the vehicle fleet doubled from 1992 to 2012. This increase in vehicles is partly due to the population boom that occurred as a result of industrialization, which drew thousands of migrants to the city. The growing number of vehicles has led to longer automobile trips and increased congestion, further contributing to the air pollution issue.
The poor quality of vehicles and the use of toxic fuel in the past have also played a role in high vehicle emissions. In addition, the topography of Mexico City, located in a basin surrounded by mountains, traps air pollutants and makes it difficult for them to disperse. The high altitude of the city further exacerbates the problem, as oxygen levels are lower at this elevation.
To combat vehicle emissions and improve air quality, the Mexican government and local authorities have implemented various measures. These include driving restrictions, such as prohibiting drivers from using their cars one day per week, incentives for purchasing cleaner vehicles, and investments in public transportation. The renewal of the bus fleet, expansion of the subway network, and bike-sharing initiatives aim to reduce public reliance on private vehicles. Additionally, there has been a push for the regulation of fuel consumption and the implementation of low-sulphur standards to reduce emissions.
While these efforts have led to improvements in air quality, Mexico City still faces challenges in reducing vehicle emissions. The continuous increase in the number of vehicles and the impact of vehicle emissions on public health and the economy remain concerns. Addressing these issues requires further implementation of sustainable mobility systems, such as prioritizing public transport, active transport, and electric mobility, as well as ongoing citizen participation and collaboration between various sectors.
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Poor-quality fuel and toxic emissions
Mexico City has long struggled with poor air quality, and while it was once labelled the world's most polluted city, it has since dropped to 917th as of 2021. However, the city continues to deal with the issue of poor-quality fuel and toxic emissions.
The use of combustible fuel in automobiles is a significant contributor to air pollution in Mexico City. In the 1980s and 1990s, cars in the city were made with poor-quality standards and ran on highly toxic fuel. This, combined with the proliferation of vehicles, has led to high levels of carbon monoxide, a toxic gas emitted by cars. Inhalation of carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, brain dysfunction, and even death.
Another issue is the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, which is partly due to the high altitude of Mexico City, causing oxygen levels to be 25% lower. This has resulted in increased emissions of pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, which is associated with respiratory symptoms and diseases, including difficulty in breathing.
The burning of fossil fuels in power plants and industrial processes also contributes to air pollution. During the city's industrialisation, non-regulated and highly polluting factories, power plants, and oil refineries operated throughout Mexico City. These emitted large amounts of primary pollutants such as carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide directly into the environment.
To combat these issues, the Mexican government has implemented various measures. They mandated the removal of lead from gasoline and the use of catalytic converters, as well as reduced the sulphur content in diesel fuel. The government has also closed or relocated polluting factories and implemented restrictions on vehicle use, such as the ""Hoy No Circula" programme, which prohibits drivers from using their cars one day a week.
Despite these efforts, air pollution remains a concern in Mexico City. The city's unique topography, surrounded by mountains and located in a basin, traps air pollutants. Additionally, forest fires and the use of organic fuels for cooking and heating further contribute to the problem.
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Wildfires
Mexico City has been facing air pollution issues for decades. The UN declared it the "most polluted city on the planet" in 1992 and the “most dangerous city for children" in 1998. The city's pollution is caused by a combination of factors, including industrialization, vehicle emissions, and population growth.
Strong winds, high temperatures, low rainfall, and prolonged droughts have fueled the wildfires and hindered firefighting efforts. In 2024, emergency crews battled dozens of wildfires across central and southern Mexico, with 1,000 firefighters deployed in Veracruz alone. The smoke from these wildfires affects air quality and poses health risks to residents, requiring the use of air purifiers and masks.
To combat the wildfires and their impacts, Mexico has collaborated with the United States for over 25 years in information-sharing and wildfire management. This partnership has led to the exchange of equipment, personnel, and resources between the two countries. Additionally, Mexico has set a goal of achieving zero deforestation by 2030 to address the loss of forests due to changes in land use.
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Indoor air pollution
Mexico City has been facing air pollution issues for decades. In 1992, the United Nations named Mexico City "the most polluted city on the planet". The city's high altitude of 7382 feet above sea level results in oxygen levels that are 25% lower than at sea level. Carbon-based fuels also do not combust completely at this altitude. The population boom, rapid industrial growth, and proliferation of vehicles have further exacerbated the problem.
The frequent activity of the nearby volcano, Popocatepetl, has also been linked to increased contamination levels in Mexico City. The topographical location of the city, situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, creates a bowl-like structure that traps pollution. The combination of high solar radiation and a high-pressure system further prevents the dispersion of contaminants.
The Mexican government has implemented measures to improve air quality, including requiring the reformulation of gasoline, closing or relocating polluting factories, and restricting vehicle usage on certain days. These efforts have resulted in a significant decrease in pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter. However, indoor air pollution remains a critical issue, particularly in households relying on solid fuels for cooking and heating.
To address indoor air pollution, it is essential to prioritize the use of cleaner and more efficient cooking and heating fuels, such as electricity or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Improving ventilation in homes can also help reduce the concentration of pollutants. Additionally, raising awareness about the harmful effects of indoor air pollution and providing access to resources for safer and more sustainable alternatives can empower individuals to take proactive measures to protect their health and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Mexico City deals with air pollution, which is caused by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, stubble burning, power plants, road dust, and various industrial processes.
Air pollution in Mexico City has been linked to respiratory diseases, coughing, shortness of breath, bronchitis, respiratory infections, and heart problems. It has also been associated with early death and problems in reproductive health and development.
Successive local governments have imposed driving restrictions, created incentives for the purchase of cleaner vehicles, invested in public transport, built bike lanes, and curbed heavy industry. The Mexican government has also required the reformulation of gasoline and the closure or relocation of polluting factories.
The use of organic fuels for cooking and heating is a significant source of indoor air pollution. When used in simple cooking stoves, these fuels emit substantial amounts of toxic pollutants that can be harmful to household members, especially in homes with limited ventilation.
