The air quality crisis is palpable across Mexico City and its surrounding areas as authorities have activated the first environmental contingency of 2025. The Commission for Environmental Protection of the Megalopolis (CAMe) reported on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 26, 2025, concerningly high levels of ozone recorded at 157 parts per billion (ppb) at the Tlalnepantla monitoring station, prompting immediate vehicular restrictions aimed at protecting public health.
The situation, which was expected to continue worsening, led to the announcement of restrictions on Thursday, February 27. CAMe explained, "The atmospheric monitoring system indicates very poor air quality, predicted to worsen today and tomorrow," outlining the agency's decision to maintain the emergency measures through February 28.
Weather conditions have played a significant role, with reports highlighting the influence of a high-pressure system over the region. This system is responsible for stability within the atmosphere, resulting in decreased air circulation. CAMe stated, "The high pressure system is causing stability, leading to the concentration of ozone," as air quality plummeted to unhealthy levels throughout the Valley of Mexico.
The vehicular restrictions, known locally as 'Doble Hoy No Circula', will affect various vehicles based on their verification stickers. Specifically, personal vehicles with verification hologram number 2, as well as vehicles with hologram number 1 ending with the odd digits (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 0), will be prohibited from circulation. Ironic as it may seem, even those with valid 00 stickers and blue engomado plates ending with 0 and 9 will not be allowed on the roads.
Additional restrictions also apply to vehicles without verification stickers, including older models, demonstration vehicles, and those with foreign plates. This restriction extends to 50% of the gas distribution units lacking dry disconnection valves.
Not just limited to Mexico City, the restrictions extend to numerous municipalities within the State of Mexico, including municipalities like Ecatepec, Naucalpan, and Tlalnepantla, indicating the scale of the environmental issue at hand.
A late afternoon report from CAMe on February 27 predictably reiterated the implementation of these restrictions, stating, "We will continuously evaluate the air quality and, depending on the conditions, inform the public of any changes intrinsic to the environmental measures." Upon assessing real-time data, authorities will hold another update on the night of February 28, declaring the contingency's status.
It is more than just numbers reflecting the air quality. CAMe emphasized the health risks posed by the current levels of pollution, with advisories for residents to stay indoors, particularly those engaged in outdoor activities. Experts denoted the air quality as “bad,” with the index posing significant risks to sensitive groups. It appears mothers and fathers are now taking extra precautions to protect their little ones from what is increasingly being recognized as detrimental exposure, especially during peak hours of ozone formation.
Given the severity of the situation, CAMe released specific recommendations beyond restricting vehicle movement. These include cancelling all outdoor events, advising against physical activities outside between 1 PM and 7 PM, and encouraging residents to limit their exposure to sunlight, particularly sensitive individuals, by wearing hats and sunglasses.
CAMe has emphasized staying vigilant on air quality updates. Continuing to monitor the climate conditions is key as this high-pressure system is expected to persist, leaving residents contending with elevated ozone levels and poor air quality for the foreseeable future.
While it remains uncertain how long these restrictive measures will be necessary, residents can assist the efforts to curb pollution by heeding CAMe's recommendations, reducing vehicle usage, and embracing remote work options whenever feasible. Such cooperative engagement is echoed across metropolitan areas, where community participation remains pivotal as officials tackle this pressing environmental health issue.
Conclusively, the road to cleaner air may seem far-off, but initiatives and responsible actions at all societal levels can set Mexico City and its neighbors on the right path toward amelioration of air quality and greater public health. Keeping informed, abiding by traffic solutions, and supporting ecological changes are steps every individual can take.