- Índice Metropolitano de la Calidad del Aire
IMECA is a real-time monitoring of the concentrations of several pollutants on the atmosphere of the valley of
Mexico .IMECA (Índice Metropolitano de la Calidad del Aire) means metropolitan index of air quality in spanish is the reference value for the levels of
pollution made it specifically for the habitants ofMexico City so they can know the levels of pollution that are in their place or residency or work.The IMECA is calculated using the measurements of the quality or the air by Simat (Sistema de Monitoreo Atmosférico de la Ciudad de México). The Imeca is used to show the level of pollution and the level of risk that represents to the human health in the greater Mexico City and also the time of the measurements or the actions recommended for protection. The IMECA is calculated using the measurements of average times of the chemicals
ozone (O3),sulphur dioxide (SO2),nitrogen dioxide (NO2),carbon monoxide (CO) and particles lower than 10 micrometers (PM10).The Imeca is published each hour for the population of the
Greater Mexico City including all Distrito Federal and some municipios fromEstado de México .Categories
To report the quality of the air, the index uses 5 categories:
*BUENA. (Good) When the index is between 0 and 50 imecas. The quality of air is considered satisfactory and the air pollution makes minimal or no risk for the health.
*REGULAR. (Regular) When the index is between 51 and 100 imecas. The quality of air is acceptable, however some contaminants could have a moderate effect in the health for a small fraction of the population that has high sensitivity to some contaminants.
*MALA. (Bad) When the index is between 101 and 150. In this value, some sensitive groups can have effects over the health. Some people can present effects to minor concentrations than the rest as is the case with people with breathing or heart problems, children and old people. The public in general could not present risks when the Imeca is in this interval.
*MUY MALA. (Very Bad) When the index is between 151 and 200. In this situation everybody can experience negative health effects. Members of sensible groups can present serious issues. This interval activates the phases Precontingencia and Contingencia Fase I of the Programa de Contingencias Ambientales (PCAA) del Valle de México.
*EXTREMADAMENTE MALA. (Extremely Bad) When the index is more than 201. In this condition the population in general shows very serious issues in the health.
Links
* IMECA (Spanish) [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%8Dndice_Metropolitano_de_la_Calidad_del_Aire#Categor.C3.ADas_del_.C3.8Dndice_Metropolitano_de_Calidad_del_Aire]
* [http://www.sma.df.gob.mx/simat/ Sitio oficial del Sistema de Monitoreo Atmosférico de la Ciudad de México]
* [http://www.sma.df.gob.mx/ Sitio oficial de la Secretaría del Medio Ambiente del Gobierno del Distrito Federal]
* [http://www.sma.df.gob.mx/simat/PCAA/noviembre06_29_141_imeca.pdf Norma Ambiental para elaborar el Índice Metropolitano de la Calidad del Aire]
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