Mario J. Molina

Conclusions: Key Findings and Recommendations

During this past decade, the government of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) has made tremendous progress in improving air quality. Substantial reductions in the concentrations of criteria pollutants (such as lead, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide, among others) have been secured through the development and implementation of comprehensive air quality management programs; improvements in monitoring and evaluation or air pollution; strengthening and enforcing vehicle inspection and maintenance systems; replacement of fuel oil by natural gas in industry and the power sector; specific actions to reduce volatile emission from gasoline stations and storage tanks in industry; improved specifications for transport and industrial fuels; and other measures. The closure of the 18 de Marzo oil refinery and the transition to natural gas by power plants have contributed to a major reduction in pollutants, notably sulfur dioxide. In addition, programs such as “No driving day” (Hoy No Circula) have been effective incentives to modernize the vehicle fleet and to help insure the proper maintenance of vehicles. Efforts have also been undertaken specifically to address institutional barriers and to integrate air quality concerns with transport and related issues.