Air Pollution Problems in Latin America1

A ir quality in many cities, especially in the rapidly growing capitals of developing countries, has deteriorated to such an extent that it is having a significant respiratory impact upon susceptible individuals. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 600 million people are now being exposed to sulfur dioxide concentrations far in excess of what could be considered inoffensive, and that over a billion people are being exposed to suspended particle concentrations exceeding WHO-recommended limits. In recent times we have become increasingly aware of hazards posed by indoor air pollution-such as the pollution caused by burning wood or coal to heat or cook in poorly ventilated spaces, a practice common to rural areas of many developing countries that regularly exposes women and children to high levels of air pollution. Beyond that, of course, we know that in the world’s urban areas population growth combined with significant increases in industrialization, energy production, interior heating, and