The Commission for Sanitary Risk Prevention (Cofepris) said that there have been no reported deaths due to the three periods in 2016 where high air pollution levels have led to Phase 1 Environmental Alerts.
The head of Cofepris, Julio Sánchez y Tepoz, participated in a presentation of the new study. He explained that pollution has led to complications of already existing diseases for some people in Mexico City, and that the Secretariat of Health (SSA) has followed the recommendations of national studies and international organizations for measuring air pollution.
Sánchez y Tepoz said that the SSA has established regulations for ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
He said that it is important to identify both atmospheric pollutants themselves and their effects on the population. The study uses data from 16 monitoring stations based on four health factors, which are asthma, otitis, conjunctivitis and acute respiratory infections.
After the three periods in which the Phase 1 Environmental Alert was declared, Cofepris has gathered a large amount of useful data that will help identify the principle effects of pollution on the health of Mexicans.
Sánchez y Tepoz said that Cofepris has already released recommendations to avoid harm due to air pollution, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people who work outside.
