CAMe Sustains Stage 1 Environmental Contingency in Mexico City Metropolitan Area

Background on Comisión Ambiental de la Megalópolis (CAMe)

The Comisión Ambiental de la Megalópolis (CAMe) is a Mexican environmental agency responsible for monitoring air quality and implementing contingency measures in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. Its role is crucial as it helps protect public health by managing pollution levels caused by vehicle emissions and industrial activities.

Current Situation

As of Thursday afternoon, CAMe has maintained the Stage 1 environmental contingency for ozone in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. However, they have not yet confirmed if the “Doble Hoy No Circula” (Double No Driving Day) measure will continue on Friday.

The agency reported at 15:00 hours that the air quality remains in the “Mala a Muy Mala” (Poor to Very Poor) range due to the influence of a high-pressure system affecting central Mexico for four consecutive days.

Factors Contributing to Ozone Formation

CAMe explained that the formation of ozone over Mexico City has been favored by moderate to strong atmospheric stability, weak winds, and intense solar radiation.

Doble Hoy No Circula: Vehicle Restrictions

The following vehicles are restricted from circulating until 22:00 hours on Thursday, April 24:

1. Private vehicles with verification hologram 2.
2. Private vehicles with verification hologram 1, where the last numeric digit is 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, or 9.
3. Private vehicles with verification holograms 0 and 00, green sticker, and plate endings 1 and 2.
4. Vehicles without verification holograms, such as old, demonstration, new vehicles, those with tourist passes, foreign plates, or plates formed by letters, face the same restriction as vehicles with hologram 2.
5. 50% of LPG delivery trucks to stationary tanks without dry disconnect valves, with plate endings NON.
6. Local or federal cargo vehicles cannot circulate between 6:00 and 10:00 am, except those in the Mexico City or State of Mexico Autorregulation Programs.
7. Taxis with verification holograms “00”, “0”, “1”, or “2” must adhere to the circulation restrictions from 10:00 am to 22:00 hours, following the rules mentioned above.

Key Questions and Answers

• What is CAMe? The Comisión Ambiental de la Megalópolis (CAMe) is an environmental agency responsible for monitoring air quality and implementing contingency measures in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area.
• Why is there a Stage 1 environmental contingency? The contingency is due to poor air quality, primarily caused by vehicle emissions and influenced by a high-pressure system affecting central Mexico.
• What is the “Doble Hoy No Circula” measure? It’s a restriction on vehicle circulation based on their hologram verification number and plate endings, aiming to reduce pollution levels.
• Which vehicles are restricted today? Private cars with specific hologram numbers, taxis with certain verification holograms, LPG delivery trucks, and cargo vehicles are restricted.