Mexico City is grappling with severe air quality issues this December, prompting the Commission for Environmental Protection of the Megalopolis (CAMe) to declare an air quality contingency due to extremely high levels of pollution. The air quality emergency was officially declared on December 25, 2024, particularly targeting the concentration of PM2.5 particles, which can have significant adverse health effects.
On December 25, at noon, monitoring stations reported alarming average levels of 81.7 µg/m³ of PM2.5 at the Santiago Acahualtepec station, located within the municipality of Iztapalapa. This is particularly concerning as the levels of pollution can be exacerbated during the holiday season, primarily due to increased use of fireworks and bonfires. This trend was highlighted by the Environmental Monitoring Directorate of the Mexico City government (Sedema), which noted, "High levels of pollution were due to fireworks and bonfires during the holiday celebrations." The festive period, particularly the consumption of fireworks, significantly contributes to air pollution, resulting not only from the immediate explosions but also residual particulate matter.
The CAMe's intervention marks the first phase of their contingency protocols, enacted to protect the health of millions of residents exposed to polluted air. Authorities recommend avoiding outdoor activities, especially for vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly, as stated: "We recommend populations avoid outdoor physical activities due to very high health risks," by the CAMe. The overall aim is to minimize exposure to the harmful effects of polluted air and reduce the risk of respiratory issues and other health concerns.
Under the enacted contingency measures, changes are made to the Hoy No Circula program. This program, aimed at curtailing the number of cars on the roads to improve air quality, mandates specific vehicles to remain off the streets. On December 26, vehicles with green stickers—assigned to cars with license plates ending with the numbers 1 and 2—are prohibited from circulating within the Mexico City limits and the adjoining State of Mexico between the hours of 5 AM to 10 PM. The CAMe announced this step to enforce stricter regulations aimed at decreasing air pollution levels.
According to the CAMe and the environment ministry, violators of these traffic restrictions may face fines ranging from approximately 2,074 pesos to 3,112 pesos, calculated by multiplying the current Unit of Measure and Update (UMA). This monetary penalty serves as both deterrence and enforcement of the program, reflecting the seriousness with which compliance is approached.
Residents and commuters need to be aware of the exceptions. Vehicles meeting certain criteria, including those with holograms 00, electric cars, hybrids, and registered passenger transport vehicles, continue to have permission to operate during the contingency. At the same time, cars registered outside Mexico City, such as those from the states of Hidalgo, Morelos, Puebla, and Tlaxcala, can also continue to circulate if they meet verification standards from their respective states.
The air quality situation is not limited to the immediate concerns of traffic restrictions. Nine municipalities within the State of Mexico, including Tultepec, Coacalco, and Texcoco, reported very poor air quality status, alongside various boroughs within Mexico City, like Azcapotzalco and Coyoacán. The commission's findings reinforce the need for collective effort to reduce airborne contaminants, insisting on the importance of consistent monitoring and awareness among the public.
Previously reliable monitoring stations have indicated patterns of elevated particulate matter levels during the holiday season, primarily due to the annual increase of fireworks being utilized. Residents are reminded of the correlation between this celebratory behavior and resulting health risks, as noted by the CAMe, which consistently links poor air quality data to specific intervals, such as Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Health authorities continue to urge the public to adopt best practices for reducing individual exposure to unhealthy air quality, including keeping windows closed during peak pollution hours, utilizing air conditioning units set to recirculation, and limiting outdoor activities. Additional strategies include using public transport and carpooling to lessen vehicle emissions, as well as promoting active reporting of potential sources of air pollution, including unauthorized burning.
The monitoring system of air quality is set to evolve as the CAMe pledges to adjust its response based on real-time data, providing updates as conditions change. This may potentially lead to escalations, such as implementing the Doble Hoy No Circula if pollution levels do not improve following immediate interventions.
The air quality crisis constituting the latest contingency is both pivotal and foreseeable, and it highlights the urgent need for systemic changes. With public compliance and awareness at the forefront, local authorities hope to engage citizens throughout this air quality emergency effectively, keeping public health as their top priority during this festive yet problematic time.
