Why is Mexico City the worlds worst city for air pollution?

Part of it has to do with the mountains surrounding the city, I think it keeps the pollution in like Denver.

I don’t know what the laws and regulations are like now, but I can tell you when my husband lived there, over 20 years ago they made an effort to alleviate some of the pollution by forbidding you from driving your car one day a week. I think they put a sticker on your license plate, or something like that, to indicate what day it could not be on the road. The wealthier Mexicans just bought another car to get around it.

it will be interesting to see if people have some more current information.

And now we know Why they don’t want to let Mexican Trucks More than 50 miles into the US- Currently there are alot of them trying to get an exemption at the Port of Oakland,Ca because they can’t afford a $21,000 Particulate filter to be comformant .

@phil196662 Ohhh, I heard something about that.

I’m also guessing there are still a lot of old cars on the road with old emission standards.

In a poor country, people keep their cars running just about forever. In a contry like Mexico, creating new regulations only gives enforcement officials an opportunity to collect more bribes.

I guess I’ll point out an obvious factor.

@phoenyx GA and lots of factories to make stuff for all those people.

Mexico City is located about 7000 feet above sea level, and much of it is built on the old lake bottom. The city rises up, and has a huge population (21 million in the metro area). The height combined with the shantytowns seem both to work against clean air. On top of old cars, throw in the fact that in a lot of poor neighborhoods people burn their trash and burn combustibles in open air for warmth, and you’re left with a stinky, unpleasant place.