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boomerexpat · Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 135 Location: Mexico

I've been reading very positive articles about Mexico City's cultural scene and efforts to lower pollution. I'm in Asia now and find that Bangkok and Shanghai have about the max pollution I care to deal with on a daily basis.

Mexico City seems like a place I would enjoy living in and teaching in for at least a few years, maybe longer. However, I'm concerned about how much they have been able to really lower the pollution levels.

Those of you who live in Mexico City or visit it a lot, what do you think?

Air fit to breathe?

Has it really gone from world's most polluted city to tolerable or is that hype?

Dragonlady · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:02 am Post subject: Re: Pollution in Mexico City

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

It's all hype, period.

It is no more polluted than any other major city. As long as you are a healthy person with your immune system still intact, i.e. you are not one of those people that fusses about every little grain of dirt, then you won't even notice it.

EFLeducator · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:00 am Post subject:

Some days your eyes will burn. They will feel like someone is holding a flame to them. That was my experience at least. Some days are OK but other days it's pretty bad. Be prepared.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Here is the air quality index website for DF...

http://www.calidadaire.df.gob.mx/calidadaire/index.php

If you're sensitive, then you'll notice it in the winter months. Rainy season from May or so to October is pretty clear.

MotherF · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 3:13 pm Post subject:

It is much better than it used to be. The first time I ever visited Mexico City was in 1998.

But I live in a small town and still notice it right away when I arrive in Mexico City. I think it is probably better than Shanghai.

Enchilada Potosina · Joined: 03 Aug 2010 Posts: 344 Location: Mexico

BadBeagleBad · Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:28 pm Post subject:

There have been many positive changes in the last 20 years. I am not sure is was ever the world's most polluted city. I think it is far, far better than it was 20 years ago, but as some people already pointed out, some of it depends on how sensitive you are. What does get some people at first is the altitude.

Swing59 · Joined: 30 Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Location: U.S.A.

I haven't been to Mexico City, but have heard that the pollution has improved considerable since the 80s and 90s.

Again, I've never been to Mexico City, but I wanted to share with you a book that I read that made me really feel like I knew the city. It's by David Lida, called First Stop in the New World: Mexico City, The Capitol of the 21st Century. I thought of this book when I read your post because I thought it might be of interest to someone thinking about moving there.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Great book...wonderful read for a newcomer to the city.

I like his blog too...great sense of humour, espcially when he's sour.

http://davidlida.com/

ton a bricks · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 56 Location: Mexico City

I think DF is better than it used to be, and this winter has been really exceptional with lots of wind and some rain keeping the air really clean.

I think though that it is really unpredictable and for people who are sensitive to pollution, it probably is not a good place to live. 25 years ago I remember running across Reforma to catch a bus and almost collapsing from lack of oxygen, I think it is not that way now. But on bad days, I have had my eyes sting so badly I couldn't keep them opened, and walking a few blocks carrying something heavy could be really sickening.

Of course if I stay around long enough maybe I will get used to it, but I think in all honesty, the DF defenders have to admit that it can get pretty bad at times...

boomerexpat · Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 135 Location: Mexico

boomerexpat · Joined: 15 Apr 2012 Posts: 135 Location: Mexico

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Like ton a bricks says, it's not easy to predict anymore. This past winter was very nice.

I think November is the worst month as farmers burn their fields outside the city and we get some of that soot in the air. The PM10 count shoots up then. Otherwise, you get some days where the ozone count goes over 100, coming any time between November and February.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject:

In the past the worst month in Mexico City was January when cold inversions kept the pollution close to the earth, especially in the morning. There have been years when the opening time for public schools was pushed ahead an hour or two, so children wouldn't be out and about in the early morning. This year, for whatever reason, the air quality in January was decent though right now it isn't. I can tell because my "allergy eyes" have been tearing a lot for several days. Crying or Very sad