In recent days, Bogota has received smoke and pollutants from forest fires in the Orinoquia and neighboring countries also located in northern South America. Although in the capital and much of Colombia the rainy season has already arrived in full force, the winds have not stopped and have brought to the center of the country the particles produced by the conflagrations.
Neither the rains nor natural barriers such as the Eastern mountain range have been able to contain this flow, which, according to authorities, although it has shown fluctuations, has not reached the criteria for declaring an alert for air pollution.
The Bogota District Environmental Secretariat (SDA) reported that the Bogota Air Quality Index has recorded 10 monitoring stations at “regular” level, seven stations at “moderate” level, and only one, the Carvajal – Sevillana station, at “High” level.
Very weak winds do not help to overcome the situation
These monitoring stations measure in real time the concentrations of fine particulate matter PM2.5, the most harmful pollutant for human health. However, the environmental authority projects a trend toward improvement in air quality in the coming days, thanks to a meteorological forecast of increased rainfall and winds.
Another reason Bogota is experiencing this situation is that the city has very weak winds. This prevents polluted air from dispersing and causes fine particles to accumulate near the ground, the Mayor’s Office explained in a statement.
The presence of smoke and pollutants from forest fires outside the capital is more pronounced in areas with a high concentration of pollutant emissions generated by cargo trucks and the dust raised by vehicles on unpaved streets. For this reason, the SDA maintains permanent monitoring of air quality in Bogota with technical, scientifically validated and supported information.
The good news for Bogotanos is that the meteorological forecast for the coming days indicates a gradual improvement in ventilation conditions, due to an increase in wind speed, greater cloud cover and rainfall over the Andean region, and changes in atmospheric circulation that favor the dispersion of pollutants. These conditions favor the progressive reduction of particulate matter concentrations that have been present in the city.
Recommendations for Bogotanos
Although the situation is not serious and has not triggered any alert, the Environmental Secretariat issued some recommendations:
- Avoid exposure to areas of high air pollution, such as unpaved and high-traffic roads, construction sites, and industrial areas or areas with accumulated debris or quarries.
- Clean surfaces and floors in the home using damp cloths or rags to prevent dust from rising. If you are near a source of smoke, soot, or particulate matter, keep windows and doors closed.
- Avoid intense exercise or outdoor sports during high traffic hours (between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.).
- Travel on foot, by bicycle, or using public transportation, and avoid using cars or motorcycles.
- Share trips if using a car or motorcycle.
- Ensure your vehicle’s technical-mechanical inspection is up to date.
- Perform vehicle maintenance according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.
- Avoid using aerosols (paints, air fresheners, among others).
- Do not burn trash or materials such as coal or wood, do not throw cigarette butts on the ground, do not throw glass, bottles, waste, or any type of combustible material, and do not use fireworks. If you see someone conducting burns, notify the authorities.