Bad practices and bad weather could lead to an environmental event lasting up to 5 additional days

Since last Friday Mexico City has high levels of pollution because of 2.5 particles, which led to a extraordinary environmental contingency, which could be extended up to 5 days, according to the specialists' forecasts.

These microscopic particles They have one lower thickness to that of a human hair, which is why they move easily to the lungs. The master Alejandro Arias, expert in air pollution, pointed out in this respect that the risk of this type of particles is that they reach pierce the hairs of the nostrils and invade the entire respiratory system.

The first ones effects of MP 2.5 respiration They include irritation of the throat, runny nose, eye irritation, chest tightness and shortness of breath. However, these they can even cause terminal illnesses, such as cancerwhen he has been exposed for a long time.

Therefore, there is a need to raise awareness about fire preventionnot only silvicultural but also industrial. And that's according to Arias, although the natural fires already emit pollutants, the toxicity multiplies when the incident involves chemical products.

"When fires occur in a business, a factory or an industrial place where there are chemicals the pollution is even greater"he said.

In addition, all emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from the combustion of fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal or natural gasthey increase exponentially with room temperature. Therefore the Clear skies, light winds and strong irradiation solar energy only favors this type of emissions.

Nowadays, Mexico has a "Very high atmospheric stability; there is neither wind nor rain, the contamination remains much longer, "said the specialist.

His opinion was supported by specialists from the Center for Atmospheric Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), who emphasized that the wind carried some pollutants by hundreds of forest fires, towards Mexico City, and as this wind was not intense enough, the dispersion of particles outside the valley of Mexico.

When the PM 2.5 particles to the daily broadcasts of the city, a pollution pump that this Tuesday has led to widening the environmental contingency due to the poor quality of the air. Mayor's office Iztapalapa and the municipality of Nezahualcoyotl they even recorded it as very bad, having a maximum value of 158 points in the air quality index for fine particles.

Alejandro Arias explained in an interview that more than one environmental contingency for 2.5 particles, there is a need for prevention who sensitize the population to the burning of forests.

"There are very few fires due to natural causes, it is the people who provoke them"said the expert in air pollution, who added that you should start by preventing fires if you want to avoid an environmental event like the one registered today.

The National University, for its part, pointed out that many of the environmental atmospheric contingencies of recent years were caused by conditions outside this city; and more precisely the pollution caused by the metropolis itself was not the main cause contingency on this occasion.

Arias reminded that the most important thing is to avoid the events that generate polluting emissions and that children and the elderly avoid activities abroad. Recommended cover mouths and close windows and doors. In addition, it was considered viable minors do not go to school in case the contingency is maintained.