SEMARNAT, UNAM Conduct Air Pollution Inventory

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and UNAM are working together to create an inventory of air pollutants affecting air quality in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

President Claudia Sheinbaum explained that both institutions are focused on two main objectives: measuring the level and types of air pollutants and determining the causes of pollution. "Before taking action, we need to know what types of pollutants exist in each area and what causes them," she said. She further explained that, for Mexico City, the federal government is working with the governments of the State of Mexico and Hidalgo to conduct the same study, while other independent evaluations are being carried out in Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Regarding the increased frequency of environmental contingencies in the capital, Dr. Sheinbaum explained that the threshold for declaring a contingency is now lower, which creates the impression that these episodes are more frequent. "Contingency limits have been lowered to better protect health," the president noted.

Another important factor to consider is the onset of spring, which increases solar radiation and ambient temperatures. During this season, intense heat causes an accumulation of hot air near the ground, trapping pollutants and worsening air quality. Additionally, pollutant emissions increase due to greater use of vehicles and air conditioning, further exacerbating the situation.

Agricultural burns and forest fires also contribute to the poor air quality in the Valley of Mexico. On the night of Wednesday, April 2, four fires were reported south of Mexico City. Most occurred in areas like forests or parks with dry grasslands. Authorities highlighted that this is concerning because, although the causes are unknown, it suggests that nights are becoming hotter and drier as a result of global warming, preventing them from functioning as protective barriers as they did in the past.

Regarding criticism in Monterrey about the increased pollution levels, which have been attributed to the operation of the Cadereyta refinery, the president said that there is ongoing monitoring of this refinery but pointed out that there is much industrial activity in the city, which is also a significant source of pollution. In early March the state of Nuevo Leon established the Metropolitan Environmental Commission to address the high levels of air pollution recorded in the state. Additionally, Samuel García, Nuevo Leon Governor, highlighted that the city’s Environmental Monitoring System (SIMA) will undergo maintenance with an investment of MX$14 million (US$690,000) to provide more accurate information on air quality indices in the Metropolitan Area.

President Sheinbaum emphasized that no definitive measures to combat pollution will be taken until the air quality studies are completed. However, she clarified that these studies will not take much time, as the first results are expected to be delivered in 2025, to assess the effectiveness of the strategies implemented. Meanwhile, inspections are also being carried out in refineries and industries from various sectors to evaluate their environmental impacts.