Air quality in Zapopan

What is the current level of air pollution in Zapopan city?

Zapopan is a city and municipality located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It is part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, the population of Zapopan city itself makes it the second largest city in the state, very close behind the population of Guadalajara city. According to a census conducted last year in 2020, the population of the municipality was estimated at around 1.5 million residents.

Looking at the figures published for2020, it can be seen that during the last part of the year, Zapopan experienced a period of “Moderate” air quality with a US AQI reading of 67. This reading is often used as a reference point when comparing air quality in other cities around the world. Data is collected with regards to the six most prolific air pollutants commonly found and this figure is calculated from there. If information is not available for all six, then a figure can be deduced using the information that is available. The only recording made was for PM2.5 which was noted to be 19.7 µg/m³. This is almost twice the level of 10 µg/m³ which is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as being an acceptable level.

When the air quality is classified as being “Moderate” the given advice is to remain indoors as much as possible and close all doors and windows to prevent more polluted air from entering. Those who are more sensitive to poorer air quality should try to avoid venturing outside until the air improves. If this is unavoidable, then a good quality mask should be worn at all times. All groups are dissuaded from partaking in vigorous outdoor exercise.

There is a mobile app available from AirVisual.com for most mobile devices which gives information regarding air quality in real-time. This information will assist in your decision as to whether or not to go outside.

Does air quality vary much throughout the year in Zapopan?

Air quality can be very volatile and can therefore change very quickly because so many variables can affect it. The figures published for 2020 reflect this as it can easily be seen that the month with the worst air quality was November when the air was classified as being “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” with a reading of 41 µg/m³. To be classified as such, figures need to be within the 35.5 to 55.4 µg/m³ range. The remaining eleven months all returned readings from the “Moderate” range with figures between µg/m³. The best month was August with a reading of 14 µg/m³, the worst was December with 31.3 µg/m³.

Historically, records pertaining to air quality were held from 2019 when a figure of 18.9 µg/m³ was noted. The following year of 2020 saw a decline with a figure of 24.5 µg/m³. This figure may not be a true reflection of reality because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many motorists were no longer required to drive to their offices each day in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. There were also some factories and smaller production units which were required to close on a temporary basis. Many cities throughout the world noted how much cleaner their city air was because of these measures. But there are exceptions and Zapopan was one of them.

Where does air pollution come from in Zapopan?

The quality of the air derived from vehicular traffic is increasingly moving away from the desirable level of a healthy and sustainable city, increasing the number of people exposed to dangerous concentrations that every five years doubles the number of days with harmful pollution to the people's health and the number of deaths doubles every 16 years due to respiratory diseases.

A high rate of polluting gases in Jalisco is concentrated in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (ZMG), but the municipality of Zapopan is the one that originates the most emissions from the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and its derivatives such as gasoline. recent studies reveal.

The type of pollution is measured by estimating the type of toxins that exist in the city's environment and is known as the carbon footprint, which is the total amount of greenhouse gases that affect the warming of the city, the atmosphere and consequently in the drastic change in temperature. Unlike measurements expressed solely with contamination from incomplete diesel combustion or wood burning that is reflected in black carbon, carbon equivalent records seek to compare air toxicity with the inclusion of more pollutants to review.

How can air quality be improved in Zapopan?

During the winter season there is an increase in particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10, which remain suspended in the environment due to the phenomenon of thermal inversion. The meteorological conditions of the winter season favour the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere, therefore the exposure to poor air quality is accentuated.

Local authorities indicated that they will carry out an operation to control fixed sources with visits to highly polluting industries in the south of the area to verify the application of their atmospheric contingency plans and programs. The following recommendations were stated; do not light fires or carry out burns, avoid the use of fireworks, keep vehicles tuned and in good condition, try to use mass public transport and/or non-motorized transport, as well as report activities that generate poor air quality.

What are the effects of air pollution on health?

The main effects of air pollution on health range from alterations in lung function, heart problems and other symptoms and complaints to an increase in the number of deaths, hospital admissions and visits to the emergency room, especially due to respiratory and cardiovascular causes.

PM affects more people than any other pollutant and its main components are sulphates, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, coal, mineral dust and water. PM consists of a complex mixture of liquid and solid particles of organic and inorganic substances suspended in the air. Particles are classified according to their aerodynamic diameter into PM10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 µm) and PM2.5 (aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm). The latter poses a greater danger because, when inhaled, they can reach the peripheral areas of the bronchioles and alter the pulmonary gas exchange.

The health effects of PM occur at the levels of exposure to which the majority of the urban and rural population in developed and developing countries are currently subjected. Chronic exposure to the particles increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer.