The Environmental pollution It is one of the big problems of our society. Sometimes, the level of pollution is so high that they can be a risk to the inhabitants. For this reason, governments must take a series of measures to deal with these environmental threats.
In this ecology article we will investigate about the Environmental contingency: what is it, why it exists and some example of plans They have taken place.
What is environmental contingency
An environmental contingency plan is a set of measures that governments or authorities have to take with the objective of protecting the inhabitants of the area at times when pollution can constitute a serious health risk. These measures may include recommendations such as remaining indoors or the suspension of some services, private or public. An environmental contingency plan consists of several phases, depending on the seriousness of the situation, and the measures vary between phases.
All phases of an environmental contingency plan They last a full day and will continue in case the pollution is not reduced. The phase is just over when the Metropolitan Index of Air Quality (IMECA) of the ozone or particles smaller than ten micrometers (PM10) is less than 150 points after one day of the phase activation.
In fact, within those contingency plans, there is an immediately prior phase called pre -contractance when air quality is already very bad. In this previous phase, certain measures are already taken, such as suspending outdoor activities, prohibiting the burning of outdoor solids and liquids and restrictions on the use of the vehicle.
In phase I the situation already begins to be serious and air quality is defined as ‘extremely bad’. In this phase, in addition to the previous measures, others are added as a reduction in industrial activities, reduction of the service in gas stations or initiate a monitoring about the effects on the population.
In phase II, air quality is already defined as “extremely bad”, something that occurs when the IMECA (metropolitan index of air quality) of ozone and particles smaller than ten micrometers (PM10) is greater than 245 points. During this phase, all activities in schools, offices, cultural or recreational facilities are suspended.
Why does environmental contingency exist
In cities the ATMOSPHERIC CONTAMINANT LEVELS for protect health of citizens. Thus, when gas such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide or carbon monoxide reach a PM10 of more than 100 points, air quality is considered as bad and if it is less than 51 points it is considered good. As soon as this score is very high, it can cause damage to people who breathe it, such as respiratory paths, bronchial damage or poisoning.
The risks associated with high concentrations of these environmental contaminants, and even moderate, are irritations of the respiratory tract, damage to the bronchi, discomfort in people with cardiovascular or respiratory problems or risk of asthma attacks in sick people. For these reasons, there are this series of measures that are grouped under the Environmental Contingency Plan.
You can expand this information about the damage caused by pollution with this other post on air pollution and health problems.
Example of Environmental Contingency Plan
A Environmental contingency plan Includes measures such as the following, although they vary depending on the phase:
- Restrict outdoor activities. In this way, vigorous activities are limited, such as exercise, which increase the amounts of contaminants that are inhaled.
- Restriction of cultural, civic, sports and recreation activities in schools.
- Restrict the use of vehicles in the city.
- Suspend gas stations.
Recently, Mexico City has activated an environmental contingency plan For the high ozone concentrations and particles that have exceeded 150 points in air quality, probably due to the fires of the previous days. Contamination has also affected nearby cities, such as Puebla or Pachuca, which have first activated environmental contingency plans in their history.
Another country that has gone through environmental contingency plans during 2014 (and continues to adopt measures) has been China, who has decreed the closure of schoolsthe reduction of work schedules or the closure of factories or foundations. In this case, the problem of pollution in the country is due to the high demand for coal.
In Spain there are two cities especially punished by environmental pollution, such as Barcelona or Madrid, in which it is possible to observe a kind of “beret” of particles from certain high areas of the city and in certain days. Although environmental contingency plans have not been activated, measures have been taken and taken to reduce this pollution, such is the case of Central Madrid, which has limited traffic in the center from Madrid.
In this other ecology article, we tell you more about the main environmental problems in Spain.
If you want to read more articles similar to Environmental contingency: What is it, why it exists and example of a planwe recommend that you enter our pollution category.
