Ranking Santiago Chile Smog Levels and Emergency Alert Conditions

Santiago, Chile is among the worst smog cities in the world. Chile's smog problem began with the industrialism of the 70'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 often times 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 unlivable, according to my humble standards. The city's standards, however, look at my standards with ironic, bemused, and slightly intolerant expressions on their faces. Let's start with the city's standards:

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.

When everyone behaves themselves, pre-emergency smog alert levels trigger the removal of more polluting cars from the streets, and smog kinda goes down. But calling 99 PM-10 particles "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.

UPDATE: as of Aug 1, 2007 the site is totally down. I'm going to suspect ineptness rather than maliciousness, but also note that practically every night on the news there's an environment alert. Smog is just out of control. This is progress. And a frickin' website doesn't work.

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 totally fucked Pudahuel, or El Bosque barrios, where all the factories are. And, oh yeah, poor people.

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