Background on the State of Mexico and its Environmental Challenges
The State of Mexico, a crucial region in central Mexico, has been grappling with environmental issues, particularly air quality concerns. This region is home to a significant portion of the Mexican population and hosts major urban centers like Mexico City. The State of Mexico’s environmental challenges are exacerbated by factors such as industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and seasonal weather patterns.
Contingency Ambiental Activation and its Impact
On the eve of Christmas, the State of Mexico activated the Environmental Contingency due to high concentrations of pollutants, primarily caused by:
- Fogatas (traditional fireplaces) and
- The burning of fireworks during the night of December 24 and early morning of December 25.
These activities, combined with thermal inversion and unfavorable weather conditions, hindered the dispersion of contaminants, leading to poor air quality.
Measures Taken by the State of Mexico
In response to these concerns, the State of Mexico’s Secretariat for the Environment implemented several measures:
- Contingency Ambiental (Environmental Contingency): A phased alert system designed to restrict certain activities when air quality falls below acceptable levels.
- Doble Hoy No Circula (Double Hoy No Circulate): An extra restriction on vehicle circulation, further limiting the number of cars allowed on the road based on their last digit.
- Hoy No Circula (Today Don’t Circulate): A regular traffic restriction program aimed at reducing vehicular emissions.
Suspension of Measures and Current Air Quality
On the following Friday, December 25, the State of Mexico’s Secretariat for the Environment reported favorable air quality conditions based on their 10:00 AM report. Consequently, the authorities decided to:
- Suspend the Environmental Contingency and all its associated measures in the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Toluca and the Metropolitan Area of Santiago Tianguistenco.
- Lift the extraordinary vehicle restriction and allow the Hoy No Circula program to operate normally.
However, the State of Mexico’s environmental authorities maintained the Alert Phase for particulate matter (PM2.5) to keep the public informed about air quality conditions and encourage preventive measures.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Environmental Contingency? It’s a phased alert system implemented by the State of Mexico to restrict specific activities when air quality falls below acceptable levels.
- What triggered the Environmental Contingency? High pollutant concentrations resulting from traditional fireplaces, fireworks during Christmas Eve and early morning of Christmas Day, thermal inversion, and unfavorable weather conditions.
- What measures were taken to address the poor air quality? The State of Mexico implemented the Contingency Ambiental, Doble Hoy No Circula, and adjusted the regular Hoy No Circula program.
- Why were these measures suspended? Due to improved air quality conditions reported in the 10:00 AM update, leading authorities to lift restrictions.
- What preventive actions are still encouraged by the authorities? Citizens are urged to avoid burning fireworks and wood, minimize car usage, and take steps to reduce indoor and industrial air pollution.
