Mexico City |
Visitor Information for Business or Pleasure Travelers |
"Mexico: The Last Magical Country" |
Mexico City was considered the most polluted city in the worls. How has this changed? |
Mexico City is surrounded by mountains except for the north side. The wind ussually
blows fron north to south pushing all the pollution to the south east of the
city (the most polluted side of the city). Some measures were taken to change that situation among others, older cars cannot be used one day every week (vehicles 1992 and older), a engine emitions verification is mandatory every 6 month (2 years for the newest models). Pollution is measured in "IMECAS" (spanish for Mexican Index for quality of air). If pollution levels are too high older cars cannot be used 2 days per week, if that doesn´t help some industries have to stop production and school classes are cancelled. The worst time for pollution is winter specially in the mornings when cold air concentrates close to the ground preventing pollutants to disperse in more air, as sun hits on the ground the air heats and moves upwards dispersing pollutants. During winter it is not recomended to excercise outdoors. In general pollution is not as bad as it was in 1993 but there´s a lot to be done. Any way, pollution in general has no visible effect on foreigners, but remember, the city is on a plateau at 2240 meters above sea level, high altitude and pollution can make you get tired easier than ussual. |