Air quality remains unsatisfactory in areas with the highest road traffic. The 2024 data reveal that seven of the 16 monitoring stations located in traffic areas exceeded 20 micrograms per cubic meter of fine particles. This situation represents a persistent public health problem in these densely trafficked urban zones.
The scenario worsens when considering the threshold of 10 micrograms per cubic meter, with 15 of the 16 traffic stations exceeding this value throughout 2024. This means that practically all stations located next to the busiest roads recorded pollution levels above the recommended limit.
The recorded values exceed the World Health Organization's recommendations. The WHO establishes an annual reference value for exposure to fine particles, and the high-traffic zones do not comply with these guidelines, keeping citizens exposed to pollution levels considered harmful to health.
The situation shows that, despite the mitigation efforts implemented, areas adjacent to the main traffic routes continue to be the most affected by air pollution, maintaining a significant challenge for health and urban environment policies.
