MEXICO City (Reuters) — Mexico City’s government has widened traffic restrictions and recommended people stay indoors due to serious air pollution, as the sprawling capital enters day three of its second-highest alert warning for ozone levels after more than a decade in the clear.
The government of Mexico City, which is home to over 20 million people, driving five million cars, blamed the high levels of pollution on the high concentration of ozone in the air reaching its highest level in 13 years.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto met with officials from the national environmental body SEMARNAT on Wednesday (March 16) where he called on authorities to take necessary measures to address the problem.
“Unfortunately the quality of air in the metropolitan area of the Mexican valley has deteriorated notably in recent months and in recent years. This means that the government of the republic has had to revise the air quality norms which should exist so that within the commission the necessary measures are taken, take the corresponding measures to guarantee a greater quality of air for the population in the metropolitan area to breathe,” he said.
Addressing the media, Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera explained that a set of climatic conditions was exacerbating the problem.
“Here with have 5 million vehicles circulating so we have a high-risk factor. And if we have days like those recently when there is a lack of wind, a higher concentration of ultraviolet rays, which results in a higher concentration of ozone, then we will have these conditions,” he said.
While conditions persisted, residents were better off inside between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. (local time), should refrain from vigourous exercise in the open and curb sporting activities to avoid respiratory problems, the city said in a statement earlier this week.
Local, Antonio Tello, said residents are more stressed because of the high levels of pollution.
“The pollution is affecting (a lot of people). Not just physically but also emotionally because this produces stress. This is a big problem. If you see we’re all walking around with frenetically but not because of work but to reduce our stress levels. This is a great problem as well that is generated by pollution.”
According to officials, authorities have banned over a million cars from the road to help alleviate the capital’s smog problem.
Ozone, which is a key ingredient of smog, is a form of oxygen created by the reaction of sunlight with air containing other pollutants such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide.
It can cause breathing difficulties and worsen heart disease. Children and the elderly are especially at risk.
