NATIONAL NEWS
SANTIAGO DE CHILE: FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL
EMERGENCY IN 16 YEARS
By ANNEMARIE LENNIKE
THE METROPOLITAN REGION’S AUTHORITIES DECREED THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY IN
THE LAST 16 YEARS. THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE BAD AIR QUALITY AND TO REDUCE THE SMOG LEVEL
IN THE AREA.
SANTIAGO — Monday was the first environmental emergency
in the Metropolitan Region since 1999. The decision came
after three days in a row of environmental pre-emergency
because of the ventilation conditions.
As reported by La Tercera, Sunday at 6 p.m. the environmental
emergency was issued at the pollution measurement station
of Cerro Navia. The same happened at the Pudahuel station at
9 p.m.
According to Emol, the state of environmental emergency
significantly increases vehicle restriction. Catalytic cars with
plaques finishing in 1, 2, 3 and 4 can’t circulate.
Vehicles without the green stamp (non-catalytic) with
plaques ending in 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1 and 2 are also restricted.
This applies between 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the province of
Santiago and in the disricts of Puento Alto and San Bernardo.
Furthermore, the regional administration confirmed the
application of “environmental axes” (one of this year’s
8
innovations by the environmental monitoring system) extends
beyond previously announced.
These sections – already applied during the first three
preemergencies of the year – are San Diego, San Pablo,
Independencia and Los Leones. These roads become exclusive
public transportroutes between 7:30 and 10:00 a.m. and then
from 5 to 9 p.m.
Emol reported that the emergency also involves the shutdown
of pollution industrial sources 2773. At the same time, the use
of wood for heating and cooking is forbidden. Metropolitan
region Intendant Claudio Orrego stated that the use of
chimneys is “a crime.”
Furthermore he also stated that “the ventilation conditions
have been so bad that we have not managed to clear what
was accumulated in previous days,” reported Emol.