Title: Bracing for pollution disaster. Mexico City smog seen eventual death trap.

POPLINE Document Number: 075348

Author(s):

Branigin W

Source citation:

WASHINGTON POST, 1988 Nov 28;:A1, A14.

Abstract:

The serious air pollution problem in Mexico City is described. Attempts to reduce the levels of pollution have been made, but are still insufficient to prevent ecological catastrophe. The worst months of pollution are the dry months of December through February. Combustion at the above sea level altitude which results in incomplete combustion or 66% efficiency contributes considerably to the smog. Schoolchildren must be protected and foreign embassies consider the city a health hazard. The Secretariat for Urban Development and Ecology (SEDUE) is announcing new regulations, which many consider too little, too late. SEDUE promotes frequent auto tune ups and initiates Level 1 alerts when levels are too high. This thermal pollution is in addition to another air quality problem: lead. Mexican gasoline is 700% above the US standard for safety in lead content. Pemex in 1986 switched to a secret mixture of hydrocarbons but without catalytic converters the new fuel caused rising ozone levels. Air analysis revealed the presence of benzene, toluene, and xylene which are known carcinogens. Lead in air levels declined but the levels are still to high by international standards. 4 tons/day are emitted. Infants exposed from birth to lead levels of 10-25 micrograms/deciliter of blood can be expected to show a loss of 5-10 intelligence points. Applied to Mexico City's conditions, this means that the retardation level in the population would rise to 20% compared with the normal distribution of 9%. Other studies suggest that ozone in the atmosphere may be mutagenic. US recommended ozone levels are .12 parts/million (ppm) not to be exceeded more than 1 hour 1 time/day. In Mexico City, the level of .11 or 100 on the Mexico scale is exceeded 300 days/year. 100 times/year a level of 200 is exceeded, but alerts which required industry to cut production 30% have occurred only 4 times. The government measurement is also considered to be inaccurate based on other testing. Respiratory illness has doubled between 1982-86. It is not known how many cardiovascular and respiratory deaths have occurred due to pollution, but the estimate is expected to continue to be high. Even Mexico Olympic long distance runners must train elsewhere because of pulmonary obstruction.

Keywords:

Mexico
Critique
Environmental Pollution
Urban Population
Measurement
Health
Child Health
Lead
Mental Retardation
Oxygen
Respiratory Insufficiency
Cancer
North America
Latin America
Americas
Developing Countries
Environmental Degradation
Environment
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Research Methodology
Metals
Vitamins and Minerals
Physiology
Biology
Intelligence
Personality
Psychological Factors
Behavior
Inorganic Chemicals
Ingredients and Chemicals
Pulmonary Effects
Neoplasms
Diseases