Who is Involved?
The Comisión Ambiental de la Megalópolis (CAMe) has declared an environmental contingency for particulate matter (PM2.5) in the southeast region of the Valley of Mexico, encompassing four Mexico City alcaldías and 13 Edomex municipalities.
Affected Areas
- Mexico City Alcaldías: Iztapalapa, Milpa Alta, Tláhuac, Xochimilco
- Edomex Municipalities: Amecameca, Atlautla, Ayapango, Chalco, Cocotitlán, Ecatzingo, Juchitepec, Ozumba, Temamatla, Tenancingo del Aire, Tepetlixpa, Tlalmanalco, Valle de Chalco Solidaridad
Trigger for Contingency
At 08:00 hours today, the Santiago Acahualtepec (SAC) monitoring station in Iztapalapa, Mexico City recorded a PM2.5 particulate level of 107.3 µg/m³, prompting the CAMe to activate the environmental contingency.
This increase in airborne particulates was primarily due to widespread use of fireworks and burning of materials and fuels overnight and in the early morning.
The situation was exacerbated by a temperature inversion, weakened winds, and low temperatures typical of early morning hours, which hindered the dispersal of pollutants in the Valley of Mexico.
CAMe Recommendations
Health Protection
- Stay informed about air quality through the “AIRE CDMX” app, website www.aire.cdmx.gob.mx, or Twitter @Aire_CDMX.
- Avoid outdoor activities, civic engagements, recreation, or exercise at any time of the day.
- Refrain from smoking, especially in enclosed spaces.
Emission Reduction
- If you have air conditioning at home or in your vehicle, use the “recirculation” mode and keep doors and windows closed.
- To minimize indoor particle generation and exposure, avoid burning candles or wood, coal, or other materials.
- Burning of materials and waste is strictly prohibited, including those for training or practice.
- Reduce personal vehicle use and opt for public transportation instead.
- Avoid using residential fireplaces when possible.
Industrial and Local Industry Restrictions
- Federal and local manufacturing industries with combustion equipment, processes, or activities generating particulates must reduce their emissions by 40%.
- Concrete mixer (fixed or mobile) operations without emission control equipment must be suspended.
- Activities related to brick, ceramic, and metal casting in artisanal furnaces must be suspended.
Service Sector Restrictions
- Construction, remodeling, demolition, and land movement activities are suspended, except for sanitary landfills.
- All quarrying activities are suspended.
- Land movement of particulate-generating materials at construction material stores is suspended.
- Activities in establishments using wood or coal as fuel without emission control equipment are suspended.
Government Measures and Actions
- Health authorities will disseminate health protection recommendations within their jurisdiction.
- Burning of materials and waste, including training exercises, is prohibited.
- Increased vigilance and firefighting efforts in agricultural and forested areas.
- Authorities will inform artisanal brick, ceramic, and metal casting producers to reschedule their product cooking times.
- Local government will suspend non-urgent urban infrastructure maintenance activities generating particulate emissions (e.g., earthmoving, excavations, landscaping) except for emergency repairs.
- Non-urgent roadwork obstructing traffic is suspended, except for emergency repairs.
- Enhanced detection and penalization of ostentatiously polluting vehicles, unverified vehicles, or those driving on non-designated days.
- Enhanced detection and penalization of open material-carrying vehicles without covers or those spilling materials.
Key Questions and Answers
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Q: Who declared the environmental contingency?
A: The Comisión Ambiental de la Megalópolis (CAMe) declared the contingency.
Q: Which areas are affected by this contingency?
A: The contingency affects four Mexico City alcaldías (Iztapalapa, Milpa Alta, Tláhuac, Xochimilco) and 13 Edomex municipalities (Amecameca, Atlautla, Ayapango, Chalco, Cocotitlán, Ecatzingo, Juchitepec, Ozumba, Temamatla, Tenancingo del Aire, Tepetlixpa, Tlalmanalco, Valle de Chalco Solidaridad).
Q: What caused the contingency?
A: The increase in airborne particulates, primarily due to fireworks and burning of materials and fuels, triggered the contingency. A temperature inversion further exacerbated the situation.
Q: What recommendations has CAMe issued?
A: CAMe recommends staying informed about air quality, avoiding outdoor activities, refraining from smoking, reducing vehicle use, and minimizing indoor particle generation.
Q: What restrictions are placed on industries and service sectors?
A: Industrial and local manufacturing industries must reduce emissions, while service sectors face restrictions on construction, quarrying, and specific vehicle operations.
Q: What actions will the government take?
A: Government measures include disseminating health protection recommendations, enforcing burning prohibitions, increasing vigilance in agricultural areas, and intensifying enforcement against polluting vehicles.
