Ranking Santiago, Chile Smog Levels and Emergency Alert Conditions

CLICK HERE NOW FOR FREE ONLINE SPANISH LESSONS

Ranking Santiago Smog Levels

More Information:
Facts about Chile
Chacabuco Documentary
Calling Cards to Chile
Chile Blog Reviews
Cell Phone Plan
Cheap iPods

Santiago, Chile is among the worst smog cities in the world. Chile's smog problem began with the industrialism of the 1970's that has continued through to the current decade. At the present moment, it shows no signs of improvement as the major sources of emissions go largely unregulated.

Cars, trucks, wood-burning stoves and clandestine factories have free reign to fill up the valley's limited air space, and oftentimes rain and/or wind (both rare for Santiago's climate) are the only solution to smoggy air.

The winter months (May through August) typically see the highest smog levels in Santiago, as cold air inversions settle in upon the enclosed valley, entrapping polluted air.

When it does rain, Santiago is spectacular. Eyes stop to itch, lungs stop to hurt, and everything sparkles with HD brilliance. It is short-lived, so act while you can. Ascend Cerro San Cristobal via road, trail or ascensor and witness the snow-blanketed Andes, called the Cordillera, burst into magenta with the setting sun. Even ugly concrete accident below called Santiago becomes enveloped in a pinkish haze, and something peaceful is felt.

Apart from these rare moments of beauty, however, the smog makes Santiago unhealthy. But the city's standards seem to state otherwise:

During the winter the government issues smog alert warnings based on the number, per cubic meter, of particles with a diameter of 10 microns. Up to 100 PM-10 is considered "Good". Above that is "bad," until 300, which is "pre-emergency" and 500 is "emergency" smog.

Pre-emergency smog alert levels trigger the removal of more polluting cars from the streets, and smog kinda goes down. But calling a level of 99 PM-10 particles/cubic meter "Good" seems ridiculous to me. US cities that hit 50 or 60 call emergency levels, warn children to stay indoors, refrain from physical activity and drink lots of water. In Chile, nobody lifts an eyebrow until these levels hit 300.

To check the current level of smog in Santiago, check out the Chilean Government Health Ministry's Santiago Smog Alert page.

As you would be able to see, the levels of smog in La Dehesa, Las Condes, Vitacura and more affluent neighborhoods is typically less than Santiago Centro or the Pudahuel and El Bosque barrios, where all the factories and poor people are.

As bad as it is, Santiago does not rank among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world.