title: [Effects of air pollution on human health and their importance in Mexico City].
abstract: The impact of air pollution on human health is a complicated problem. In this review, we describe the main health effects of exposure to ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead and particulate matter. Geographical characteristics of the metropolitan area of Mexico City that favor pollutant persistence with adverse effects on the population are described; the use of the Indice Metropolitano de la Calidad del Aire (IMECA), current norms, and present programs to diminish this problem are discussed. Evidence shows that through these actions, air quality has improved. However, some pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter, still exceed the standard. To further improve air quality in the city, existing programs should continue and multidisciplinary research, both basic and applied, is required.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Electrofisiología, División de Investigación Clínica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, México, D.F.
authors.forename: Maite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vallejo
authors.forename: Kathrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jáuregui-Renaud
authors.forename: Antonio G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Hermosillo
authors.forename: Manlio F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Márquez
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cárdenas
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects; D008800:Mexico; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects; D010316:Particle Size; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D007854:Lead; D010126:Ozone; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D009585:Nitrogen Dioxide