Mexico City officials lifted the 4-day air pollution alert in the country's densely-populated capital after ozone levels dropped to acceptable levels.
The city experienced pollution so severe that officials temporarily banned about 1.1 million vehicles in the central business district. The government offered free public transport to residents for a couple of days.
With the emergency response implemented by the government, the air pollution levels gradually decreased paving way for officials to finally lift the ban.
During the 4-day ban, residents covered their mouths and noses with scarves or masks to prevent inhaling the fumes that may pose serious health risk. This is the first air pollution alert in 14 years due to high ozone levels causing the ban of vehicles, restrictions among factories to cut emissions and asking kids to stay indoors.
Officials started the alert when the ozone concentration went over the 190-point limit with a recording of 194. This level of air pollution can cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. On March 17, however, due to the actions taken by the government, the reading dropped to just 134.
The federal environment secretary, Rafael Pacchiano, said the government is thinking of creating new pollution-control standards after the city's recent alert. A group responsible for reducing emissions would be established and the city along with its neighboring Mexico State agreed over garbage disposal.
Mexico City is one of the most populated cities in the world. An estimated 21 million people live in the city and about 5.5 million vehicles clog the city's streets every day.
In the '90s, ozone levels reached 398 points and the last time officials declared the alert was in September 2002.
In a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 12.6 million deaths happened in 2012 due to poor environmental situation. Pollution of all sorts contributed to more than 100 diseases and one in every four deaths across the globe.
Air pollution particles or particulate matter is a complex mixture of small particles and liquid droplets. It could contain dust, soil, metals, organic chemicals and even acids. If these particles is lesser than 10 micrometers, they can enter the body through the nose and mouth. When these particles reach deep into the lungs, they can cause serious health effects.
Photo:Kasper Christensen | Flickr
