Environmental pre-emergency declared for today: Pudahuel registering critical contamination levels

SANTIAGO.- The poor ventilation conditions within the capital have prompted the Metropolitan Regional City Government to issue a Preventative Environmental Pre-emergency Alert this Monday in hopes of protecting residents´ health.

The municipality of Pudahuel, for example, has reached critical contamination levels— registering 333 points for its air-particle material indicators.

The measure means that a vehicular restriction will be put into effect for non-catalytic automobiles with license plates ending in 1-2-3-4-5-6.  The restriction also applies to catalytic vehicles with plates ending in 7 and 8.  The order will be in effect from 7:30 AM until 9:00 PM.

Agricultural burning and the use of home fireplaces have been prohibited, while a total of 794 plants will also remain idle.

The City Government has recommended that residents avoid performing strenuous physical activity and has cautioned than special care be taken for those at high risk for respiratory ailments (children under 5 years old, senior citizens, pregnant women and the chronically ill).

According to the City Government, the bad ventilation is forecasted to continue into the morning hours tomorrow, although during the afternoon a current of air is expected to improve environmental conditions.