A. Faiz et al., AIR-POLLUTION FROM MOTOR-VEHICLES - ISSUES AND OPTIONS FOR LATIN-AMERICAN COUNTRIES, Science of the total environment, 169(1-3), 1995, pp. 303-310
Latin America is among the most urbanized regions of the world with re
latively high motorization levels compared with the rest of the develo
ping world. The automotive air pollution problem in Latin America is e
ssentially a metropolitan problem, resulting from rapid and uncontroll
ed urban growth, increasing traffic congestion, inadequate urban trans
port infrastructure and services, and an aging and obsolete motor vehi
cle fleet. The problem is exacerbated by the vulnerable and sensitive
physical location of the urban centers in the region. The paper discus
ses the size of the population in Latin America at risk, the magnitude
of health costs associated with elevated levels of air pollution and
the contribution of motor vehicles to the problem. The regional motori
zation characteristics and trends are analyzed, including certain simi
larities with industrialized countries. As some Latin American countri
es directed attention towards automotive air pollution long before oth
er developing countries, there is a large body of practical and innova
tive pollution control experience in Brazil, Chile and Mexico from whi
ch other countries in the region could benefit.