AIR QUALITY

Public Policies for improving Air Quality Case Study: Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Toluca -2014

2014

Abstract

Economic growth and urban development in the Valley of Toluca, coupled with its territorial expansion, have brought environmental, social and economic challenges that affect the living conditions of the population. Improving air quality and specically reducing particulate matter concentrations (PM10 y PM2:5) derived from combustion processes, including vehicle emissions, have a direct effect in raising health benefits.

In that sense, at the request of the Ministry of Environment of the Government of the State of Mexico (SMAGEM), the Mario Molina Center for Strategic Studies on Energy and Environment (MMC) carried out a specific study on the feasibility of implementing a vehicle restriction program in the municipalities of the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Toluca (ZMVT) to control and reduce local air pollution.

Although the proposed measures allow the possibility of significantly reducing pollution, analyses indicate that the population density trend and the number of vehicles will increase. For this reason, it is important to accompany these measures with actions and public policies to accomplish an effective change in the emissions growth trend.

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