MEXICO CITY, December 13 – The Atmospheric Monitoring Directorate in Mexico City has released its latest report on air quality for the capital and the conurban area of the State of Mexico. As of 5:00 AM EST, the air quality is rated as ‘Acceptable’, indicating a ‘Moderate’ risk to health.
Daily Air Quality Monitoring and Recommendations
Authorities in Mexico City provide hourly updates on air quality and UV radiation levels in the Valley of Mexico. These reports include recommendations for outdoor activities for both the general population and sensitive groups. Environmental measures, such as environmental contingencies and the ‘Double Hoy No Circula’ program (a vehicle restriction policy), are also implemented to improve air quality when necessary.
The current ‘Acceptable’ rating means that while the general population can carry out outdoor activities, sensitive individuals – such as those with respiratory conditions or the elderly – should consider reducing vigorous physical activity outdoors. The UV ray index reached a level of 0, indicating that no protection is needed if going outdoors.
Air Quality by Monitoring Stations
The Atmospheric Monitoring Directorate operates 16 air quality monitoring stations in Mexico City. The latest readings from these stations are as follows:
Mexico City Stations:
- Tlalpan (AJM): Good
- Benito Juárez (BJU): Good
- Azcapotzalco (CAM): Good
- Coyoacán (CCA): Good
- Cuajimalpa (CUA): Good
- Gustavo A. Madero (GAM): Good
- Cuauhtémoc (HGM): Good
- Iztacalco (IZT): No data or under maintenance
- Venustiano Carranza (MER): Good
- Miguel Hidalgo (MGH): Good
- Álvaro Obregón (PED): Good
- Cuajimalpa (SFE): No data or under maintenance
- Iztapalapa (SAC): Acceptable
- Tláhuac (TAH): No data or under maintenance
- Coyoacán (UAX): Acceptable
- Iztapalapa (UIZ): No data or under maintenance
State of Mexico Stations:
For the 13 monitoring stations in the State of Mexico, the air quality is as follows:
- Atizapán (ATI): Good
- Chalco (CHO): No data or under maintenance
- Cuautitlán Izcalli (CUT): Good
- Naucalpan (FAC): Good
- Nezahualcóyotl (FAR): No data or under maintenance
- Ecatepec (LLA): Good
- Anexo de Tlalnepantla (LPR): Good
- Nezahualcóyotl (NEZ): Good
- Ecatepec (SAG): Good
- Tlalnepantla (TLA): Good
- Tultitlán (TLI): Good
- Coacalco (VIF): Good
- Ecatepec (XAL): No data or under maintenance
Some municipalities and boroughs appear multiple times due to having more than one atmospheric monitoring station.
Understanding Air Quality Levels and Recommendations
The Atmospheric Monitoring Directorate categorizes air quality into five levels, each with specific health implications and recommendations:
- Good (Green): Minimal health risk. All individuals can enjoy outdoor activities.
- Acceptable (Yellow): Sensitive individuals may experience respiratory symptoms. Those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions may see an aggravation of their illness. Sensitive groups should consider reducing vigorous outdoor physical activity.
- Poor (Orange): Significant increase in respiratory symptoms for sensitive individuals. Higher probability of aggravation for those with respiratory and heart diseases, reduced tolerance for physical activity, and increased risk of premature death for those with heart or lung disease. Both sensitive groups and the general population should take greater precautions for outdoor activities.
- Very Poor (Red): Worsening respiratory symptoms in sensitive populations and those with lung disease, as well as cardiovascular symptoms in heart patients. Increased probability of premature death for individuals with heart or lung disease.
- Extremely Poor (Purple): Significant increase in severe respiratory symptoms for the general population, severe respiratory effects and symptom aggravation for sensitive individuals and those with lung disease. Worsening cardiovascular symptoms in heart patients and increased probability of premature death for those with lung and heart disease.
Sensitive groups include children, the elderly, individuals with nutritional deficiencies, outdoor workers, and cyclists.
Source: https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2025/12/13/contingencia-ambiental-en-cdmx-la-calidad-del-aire-del-13-de-diciembre/
