The environmental alert is maintained in La Calera: there are more than 10 restrictions for mobility and industry

Although the city of Bogotá lifted the phase 1 alert on Thursday, March 2, due to poor air quality, the Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR) declared the state of prevention in the urban area of ​​the municipality of the Calera, after an analysis of the results of the concentration of fine particles (PM 2.5) in the air.

According to the entity, this was a situation caused by possible fires of the vegetation cover in various areas of the Andean, Orinoco and Amazon regions, which generated the increase in the concentration levels of the pollutant PM2.5 in the Calera Urbano Station since February 22, 2023, with levels ranging from 38.07 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) to 81.20 µg/m3 exceeding the authorized limits of 37 µg/m3″,

For this reason, the entity will continue to constantly monitor the state of air quality on Friday, March 3, in La Calera, where a series of measures are currently being activated, some restrictions and other recommendations. These will be maintained indefinitely as long as, according to the environmental authority, it is necessary to harmonize the air quality. Now what are the measurements?

Every kind of controlled burning, the operation of industries using coal-based boilers and equipment, and the sector must refrain from carrying out maintenance activities that stop the operation of emission control systems installed in stationary industrial sources for the duration maintenance of alert, except in cases where such interventions are necessary to bring these systems into service.

With regard to the mobility and transport sector, associated with mobile sources, according to the CAR, traffic authorities must establish operations to expedite the movement of vehicles in the area of ​​influence.

Mobile source operations on the roads should also be intensified, with particular attention to vehicles that run on the diesel cycle in the road corridors, and at this time the circulation of diesel vehicles and individuals is restricted. models over ten years old Monday to Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with rotation of even and odd plates.

“The circulation of goods transport vehicles of models older than ten (10) years is restricted: Monday to Friday between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. and 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.,” adds the communication from the car.

With regard to the measures that have been recommended to citizens, there is that of reducing the time of outdoor exposure of sensitive groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

He also recommended using electronic tools that allow telework, if possible, reduce the use of the vehicle and, if used, reduce the number and distances of journeys, share the car with family, friends and colleagues to go to work or school and respect the traffic restrictions issued by the competent authority.

Finally, the CAR recommends that the general population avoid exposure to heavily contaminated areas and inhalation of smoke by following the following recommendations:

– Cover nose and mouth with a face mask. It is recommended to use a mask with an activated carbon filter, or in case of using a conventional mask, to change it regularly for a new one.

– Avoid any physical activity in the open air as this increases the dose of inhaled pollutants.

– Avoid carrying out and attending cultural, sporting or outdoor leisure activities between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

– Avoid the consumption of cigarette.

– Maintain continuous water hydration throughout the day.

– Keep the surfaces and floors of your home or workplace slightly damp, if you are going to sweep them, this prevents the particles from being resuspended in the air.