Monterrey has seen the return of poor air quality this weekend, following the cessation of recent rains. After enjoying two days of relatively good environmental conditions, the air quality quickly deteriorated again, presenting health risks particularly for vulnerable populations.
According to the Sistema Integral de Monitoreo Ambiental (SIMA), out of 15 monitoring stations, two reported poor air quality, five had moderate risk levels, and eight displayed good conditions. The municipalities of Santa Catarina and San Pedro are the most affected, with inhabitants currently exposed to contaminated air, as detailed by SIMA.
Monitoring data revealed the presence of smog throughout the metropolitan area, with citizens capturing the scene on various platforms. The Observatorio Ciudadano de la Calidad del Aire shared distressing photographs taken from Chipinque at around 11:20 AM on Sunday, showcasing dense layers of pollution affecting the urban environment.
Activist Nesib Inayeh also contributed with videos depicting hazy skies filled with particulate matter. Alfonso Martínez, the Secretary of the Environment for Nuevo León, urged residents to stay informed about air quality by relying on SIMA's official reporting. He cautioned against depending on less reliable monitoring devices. "Don’t get confused. You can see from the charts, the air quality readings from Apple weather apps rarely align with actual measurements. We invite you to check air quality at aire.nl.gob.mx as we have one of the most comprehensive monitoring systems in the country, using methods validated by the MEX and U.S. governments," Martínez stated.
Forecasts from the Environment Department predicted poor air quality conditions would persist throughout the night across the eastern and western sectors of the city. Monitoring reports indicated particularly disappointing outcomes relating to the previous air quality management initiative introduced by the local government.
Back on January 13, ABC Noticias had reported grave concerns about the effectiveness of this initiative. Its first year failed to achieve the targeted annual average limit of PM2.5 particles—promised at 19.2 micrograms per cubic meter—resulting instead in levels exceeding the goal by 9.3%.
While conditions are expected to improve next week with sunny days and rising temperatures, the public remains cautioned about the lurking risks of air pollution, particularly following the recency of smog accumulation. Public health experts recommend residents remain vigilant and monitor official forecasts for any changes.
Given the increasing worries surrounding air quality, it is evident the government must take stringent measures to control pollution effectively and safeguard residents' health. The urgency to address pollution head-on becomes increasingly clear with the sustained visibility of smog blanketing the city.
Active involvement from communities, partnered with effective governance, is necessary for Monterrey to navigate these environmental challenges. It is imperative for city dwellers to stay informed and take proactive actions to mitigate the health impacts of deteriorated air quality.
Moving forward, the focus remains not only on monitoring ambient conditions but also on systematically reducing emissions contributing to the city's significant air quality problems. A united effort can prevent repeating the same detrimental cycles inherent within air quality management.