Lower Vehicle Standards Return Smog to Mexico City Franc Contreras - CCTV America
go to original June 6, 2016

Until recently, Mexico City was considered a world leader in reducing smog. But a recent decision to allow more vehicles on the road has brought back dangerously contaminated air. (CCTV America)

Even on what’s considered a relatively clear day, a toxic cocktail fills the skies over Mexico City.

New alerts over dangerous levels of ozone and floating micro particles have been issued. Mexico City regulations used to prohibit older vehicles from operating on these roads.

But in 2015, Mexico’s Supreme Court reversed that decision, saying all vehicles that pass smog verification tests – even older ones – are allowed to operate. Now 600,000 more cars and trucks can be on the road every day, belching more smog into the air.

Pablo Hurtado is a leading expert on the causes of air pollution in Mexico City. He says the Supreme Court’s decision to let older vehicles operate is harming air quality.

“It was bad,” Hurtado said. ”Judicial authorities decided to allow 600,000 more vehicles to circulate upon passing inspection. After that, we started getting air pollution danger alerts.”

Decades ago, the city government created smog emissions centers to test cars. It hasn’t always worked. Some citizens bribe inspectors in order to get cars with emission problems approved.

In an effort to upgrade the car emissions testing process, Mexico City officials plan to shift gears and start using computer technology. They hope that will end the illegal payoffs.

Read the rest at CCTV America

Related: Mexico Adopts New Computer-Based Smog Checks (Associated Press)

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