The Ilo Clean Air Project: a local response to industrial pollution control in Peru

This paper describes the very high levels of air pollution generated in the city of Ilo and its surroundings by a nearby copper smelter, and the effor ts of the local authorities to address the problem. After many years of lim ited results in seeking to persuade the copper smelter's owners to reduce e missions, in 1997 Ilo's local authorities began implementing the Ilo Clean Air project, with support from international organizations including the Wo rld Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council for Local Envir onmental Inititiatives (ICLEI). A system that monitors levels of sulphur di oxide and suspended particulate matter was developed. The project also asse sses the impacts of air pollution on the health of children and on crops, a nd it has developed a contingency plan to limit health impacts during air p ollution episodes. The Ilo Clean Air project complements many other environ mental management innovations implemented over the last 20 years for which Ilo has become well-known. Past experience shows that a positive vision of the future, a local authority committed to consultation, and consistent lea dership are key factors in successful urban management.