AIR-POLLUTION FROM MOTOR-VEHICLES - ISSUES AND OPTIONS FOR LATIN-AMERICAN COUNTRIES

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.