Yesterday, a fire broke out in a mountain of used tires located in the plant of the Comprehensive System for Ecological Management and Waste Processing, (Simeprode), and monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
According to Local Civil Protectionthe conflagration is located at kilometer 10 of the highway to Colombiain the municipality of Victoria Salinas.
You may be interested: Normalistas take over buses in Chilpancingo
The flames were reported at 9:17 a.m., so elements of Civil Protection (PC) and the Fire Department went to the scene to put it out. The authorities isolated the incident through gaps, forming a triangle that traps the flames.
You may be interested: 11 homicides and simultaneous attacks reported in Culiacán
On the other hand, poor air quality was expected due to the thermal inversion phenomenon; However, this conflagration worsened the situation.
The Santa Catarina station is in purple; that is, “extremely bad,” which is the maximum level of severity; recorded 232 micrograms per cubic meter of PM10, when the acceptable level for this pollutant is 45 ug/m3.
The rest of the 14 environmental monitoring unitsnine are in orange (bad), three are in yellow (acceptable) and onyl two are in green (acceptable).
CONDITIONS ALERT
The Ministry of the Habitat issued a statement in which it reported that due to this incident “it generates polluting emissions, which affects air quality in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey.
“It was determined that during the morning of this November 25, the emissions generated by the fire have impacted the municipalities of Salinas Victoria, Escobedo, Apodaca and San Nicolás, mainly,” the document indicates.
He added, “There are alert conditions in the vicinity of the fire and the risk of reaching an alert level if it continues,” the agency indicated. / 24 Hours
Related
What are the health risks associated with exposure to smoke and pollutants from a tire fire?
Q&A Interview with Environmental Expert on the Recent Tire Fire in Monterrey
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today. As manny of our readers may know, a critically important fire erupted yesterday at the Comprehensive System for Ecological Management and Waste Processing, specifically involving a large pile of used tires in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Can you walk us through the main concerns that arise from this incident?
environmental Expert: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The recent tire fire in Monterrey raises several critical concerns, especially regarding air quality.The fire was reported around 9:17 a.m.and resulted in significant emissions of pollutants. As a result,areas within the metropolitan Region experienced extremely poor air quality,reaching alarming levels of PM10 particulate matter.
Time.news Editor: We understand that poor air quality was already a concern in the region due to a thermal inversion phenomenon. How does the fire exacerbate this situation?
Environmental Expert: The thermal inversion phenomenon can trap pollutants close to the ground, preventing them from dispersing. This means that when a fire breaks out, like the one we saw at kilometer 10 of the highway to Colombia, the harmful emissions become concentrated in the atmosphere. The Santa Catarina station registered 232 micrograms per cubic meter of PM10, a stark contrast to the acceptable level of 45 µg/m³. This situation substantially worsens respiratory issues for residents in the affected areas.
Time.news Editor: Given that the emissions have impacted municipalities like Salinas Victoria, Escobedo, Apodaca, and San Nicolás, what practical advice would you give to residents in those areas right now?
Environmental Expert: Residents should take necessary precautions to protect their health. Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions should avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible.Keeping windows closed and using air purifiers can help improve indoor air quality. It’s also crucial to stay updated with local news and heed any advisories issued by authorities such as the Ministry of Habitat regarding air quality alerts.
Time.news Editor: What long-term implications do you see resulting from this fire,both for local environmental policy and community health?
Environmental Expert: The incident highlights an urgent need for robust waste management and fire prevention policies concerning hazardous materials like used tires. Long-term, we may see increased regulation and efforts to better manage waste processing facilities. Additionally, this fire serves as a wake-up call for communities to advocate for healthier air quality standards and pollution control measures, reinforcing the importance of maintaining oversight on environmental practices in waste management.
Time.news editor: Thank you for your insights. how can readers stay informed and engaged on issues related to environmental health in their communities?
Environmental Expert: Staying informed is crucial.I encourage readers to follow local news outlets, engage with environmental NGOs, and pay attention to public meetings on environmental issues. They should also participate in community clean-up efforts and advocate for lasting practices within their neighborhoods. by doing so, they will contribute to creating a healthier environment for everyone.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for sharing your expertise on this pressing issue. It’s vital for our readers to understand the impact of such events and how they can take action in their communities.
Environmental Expert: Thank you for having me. Awareness is the first step towards change.