Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Peru: Lima among the most polluted cities in the world

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

With more pollution than Mexico DF, Santiago de Chile, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Rome; Lima is among the dirtiest cities in the world, revealed a report released by the World Bank.

According to the World Bank report, the level of particulate matter released by diesel fuel on Abancay Avenue, one of downtown Lima's busiest streets, is well above the other cities in the world.

It was noted that the above-mentioned cities have twice as many vehicles as Lima.

A study done in 2005 by the country's National Environmental Council (CONAM) revealed that every year there were approximately 6,064 cases of people in danger of losing their lives because of pollution in Lima, which had approximately 8 million inhabitants at the time.

Many illnesses in Lima were attributed to the increasing presence of PM10, particles 10 micrometers in size that stay in the air for minutes or hours causing coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Studies done from January to November 2007 revealed that Lima's PM10 level was three times higher than what was considered environmentally safe.

It was also reported that Lima's level of PM2.5, much smaller and more dangerous particles that stay in the air for days or weeks, was six times higher than the recommended limit.

As opposed to Mexico and Chile, which began solving the problem in the 90s, Peru has postponed the issue, reported Terra News.

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# Black Lung says :
22 April, 2008 [ 13:36 ]

And who said we don't need vehicle safety and emissions inspections?  Oh, I'm sorry I believe it was the transportation mafia....er, I mean gremios.

# Michael says :
22 April, 2008 [ 14:18 ]

Knew it!

# Anonymous Pachacuti says :
22 April, 2008 [ 14:46 ]

When I were a boy there were no fresher air than in Lima. Ay, the good ol' days.

# CapitanDan says :
22 April, 2008 [ 14:57 ]

Who needs a study. All my friends that live in Lima that have small children suffer from asthma or other lung problems. My most valued gifts to my friends are air purifiers and air conditioners that I bring from the U.S..

# sda says :
22 April, 2008 [ 15:40 ]

"to my friends are air purifiers and air conditioners that I bring from the U.S.." ROFL ever been to Los angeles, new york etc ? LAWL

# Its Earth Day!! says :
22 April, 2008 [ 15:57 ]

Mexico City is better, and has been solving their pollution problem? You gotta be f---ing kidding? Lima is bad, but come on!! Mexico City is more of a poster child than Lima is thats for sure.

# CapitanDan says :
22 April, 2008 [ 16:52 ]

Los Angelos and New York are far cleaner, but Mexico city is far worse. The only people I know in Lima that are happy with the air are the salesmen that sell inhalers for the asthmatics.

# Cholo Nemecio says :
23 April, 2008 [ 07:40 ]

As we say... ARRIBA PERU!!
Again we are the champions in pollution levels in the world .. and for a big difference!!!.. that is something to make us proud... NO... and what about the people that works around Abancay Avenue???... who cares.. they are mainly cholos.

# Anonymous Mike says :
23 April, 2008 [ 09:05 ]

...and a Dutch street begger.

# Bruno says :
21 July, 2008 [ 03:06 ]

Is very complicated to speak about this skill, people in this country haven´t the money or the power of adquire new cars and stuffs like that. But also, is time to take note and do something.