Air quality in Ciudad Juárez

What is the current level of air pollution in Juarez?

Ciudad Juárez is the most populous city in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The city is commonly referred to as simply Juárez, and was known as El Paso del Norte (The Pass of the North) until 1888. According to a 2010 census, Juarez had an estimated population of approximately 1.5 million people, plus another million included in the metropolitan area.

Towards the middle of 2021, Juarez was enjoying a period of “Good” quality air with a US AQI reading of just 46. This United States Air Quality Index number is an internationally used set of metrics supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is used to compare different cities throughout the world using comparable standards. It is calculated by using the levels of the six most commonly found pollutants. If records of all six are not available, then the level can be established using what information there is. In Juarez the only concentration available was that of PM2.5 which was 11.1 µg/m³.

Although no level of air pollution is good, with a low rate such as this, the advice would be to open doors and windows to allow the fresh air to circulate. Also, all forms of outdoor exercise can be freely enjoyed without fear of dirty air.

Is the level of air pollution constant throughout the year in Juarez?

Air pollution can be very volatile and, as such, can change very quickly depending on many variables, such as wind speed and direction and the strength of sunlight.

Looking back at the figures published by the Swiss air monitoring company IQAir.com for 2020 it can be seen that the best air quality was to be found during January when the recorded level was 11 µg/m³. For the remaining eleven months, Juarez experienced “Moderate” quality air with figures between 12.1 and 35.4 µg/m³.

There were no records about air pollution kept before 2020 when the level was recorded as being 22.9 µg/m³, which again was “Moderate”. However, this may not be an accurate reflection of reality because of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many vehicles were no longer used as the drivers were furloughed and not required to commute to and from work. There were also many factories and other non-essential production units which were temporarily closed in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.

What is the main source of air pollution in Juarez?

In Ciudad Juárez, the emissions generated by motor vehicles are the main causes of this pollution, since according to the emissions inventory for 1996, these are responsible for approximately 88 per cent of the total pollutants emitted into the atmosphere.

The reason for the high levels of pollutants in the air is undoubtedly due to the almost total lack of maintenance of the vehicle fleet in circulation, its high number of units, its technological obsolescence, and the fact that emission control devices are rarely considered as an integral part of vehicles, thus causing their deterioration, as well as a deficient traffic network, in which 50% of its arteries are unpaved. Many private vehicles are over 15 years old and therefore have not been fitted with the latest filters and technology.

he goal for 2020 is for 200,000 cars to undergo the diagnosis, which represents only 36 percent of the vehicle registry registered here.

The industrial sector here is no longer so problematic because most of the diesel used is low in sulphur, so those emissions are not relevant.

With regard to carbon monoxide, it has several sources and is the gas that generates the most acute effect on people, although its levels here do not exceed those allowed if there are important peaks in the hours when people come and go from the suburbs, which impacts those who are outdoors.

It is also generated by the burning of biomass such as firewood and garbage, especially in winter, in addition to unpaved streets that mainly produce coarse particles.

Can anything be done to improve the air quality in Juarez?

As improvements in the traffic network, the main signalised crossings are being integrated into a computerised central control to streamline vehicular traffic. Currently, more than 50 per cent of the junctions are integrated.

The following is also in the planning stage: road construction actions that alleviate vehicular traffic; a comprehensive public transport system that increases its use and reduces the number of vehicles circulating, and strategic paving in unpaved areas to reduce particle emissions.

Ozone and carbon monoxide analysers operate permanently, taking a sample of ambient air concentrations at intervals of 7 to 8 seconds, these concentrations are then stored in a computer that makes the appropriate calculations. The information is then correlated with the data in each monitoring station and with the computer of the Department of Ecology. The data captured every hour is made known to the public through the various communication media.

What detrimental effects on human health does the air in Juarez have?

Respiratory diseases as acute respiratory infection (ARI) and pulmonary chronic obstructive disease (PCOD) are a group of pathologies that affect the respiratory system, being a very common cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years, pregnant women and senior citizens. The main sources of contamination are burning crop residue in rural areas, mining and quarries, manufacturers, chemical industry, petroleum refinery, generators, combustion engines and incinerators, urban transport, the industrial production of energy and many other industrial activities.

Inhaled pollutants affect the respiratory system, pass into the bloodstream and reach all organs. In addition, they are deposited in water, on plants and soil contributing to human exposure through ingestion of contaminated food and water.

Short-term exposure to particulate pollution can:

• Aggravate lung disease causing asthma attacks and acute bronchitis
• Increase susceptibility to respiratory infections
• Cause heart attacks and arrhythmias in people with heart disease

Long-term exposure to particulate pollution can result in significant health problems including:

• Increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing
• Decreased lung function
• Aggravated asthma
• Development of chronic respiratory disease in children
• Development of chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive lung disease
• Irregular heartbeat
• Nonfatal heart attacks
• Premature death in people with heart or lung disease, including death from lung cancer.