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I Cannot Breathe in Medellin / Air Quality

So there I am sitting in a clinic in Belen, waiting for a friend who has a wicked sinus infection by the way. As I'm nodding off in the waiting room, I notice a flyer pinned to the wall board in front of me. It says, El Aire, El Humo, El Cancer. What the hell is that? So I pull it off the wall while my friend is being treated by the doctor and begin to read it. Now, I'd like to say that after a quick assessment, I was shocked at what I read. However, I would be lying if I used to work quick. It took me 6 or 7 minutes to read the damn thing, 1 page. Ok, so everybody has been re-reminded that my spanish still sucks, uh, er, is not up to par with the level of fluency.

Anyways, after reading this piece, I am floored. I mean, I knew since day 1 that the frickin air quality here sucks, but i had no idea how bad. According to this article, the governmental allowance for carcinogen causing pollutants here is Medellin is through the roof. Here is the breakdown and subsequent links to the article. I pasted it here for convenience as well.

From the EPA website:

The EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six principal pollutants, which are called "criteria" pollutants. They are listed below. Units of measure for the standards are parts per million (ppm) by volume, milligrams per cubic meter of air (mg/m3), and micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3).

http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html

From the SEMANA ARTICLE:

USA - 15 parts per million (ppm) allowed
Europe & Chile - 50 ppm
Bogota - 1200 ppm !
Medellin - 4500 ppm !!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.semana.com/wf_InfoArticulo.aspx?IdArt=107651

* It seems that the profits of Ecopetrol are more important than the safety standards of the Medellin Paisas. Thoughts, opinions, comments?

Here is the article ;

El aire, el humo, el cáncer
Ahora que en Medellín han bajado los homicidios, nos damos cuenta de otros motivos por los que la gente se nos muere antes de tiempo
Por Héctor Abad Faciolince
Fecha: 11/10/2007 -1332

Los amigos míos se viven muriendo, es el hermoso título de un gran libro de cuentos de un joven escritor colombiano, Luis Miguel Rivas, publicado hace algunos meses en medio del total silencio de este país sin críticos. Este título se me vino a la cabeza al darme cuenta de que, últimamente, las amigas mías se viven enfermando. Y no de cualquier bobada: de cáncer de pulmón, de páncreas, de seno, de laringe… Este año no ha pasado un mes sin que me llamen a darme la mala noticia de que Fulana ya no tiene pelo por la quimioterapia, de que Zutana está tratando de terminar un libro antes de morirse, de que tal otra quiere que hagamos una reunión para despedirse de todos sus amigos. Cuando no las fulmina una crisis cardíaca.

El motivo más obvio de todos estos males de mis amigas es que los años pasan, nos vamos volviendo viejos, y casi todos ya entramos o estamos al borde de entrar en “la década del cáncer��?, esos años de terror en que el hilo de la espada de Damocles se vuelve más delgado y parece que está a punto de romperse. Claro, ese motivo es obvio, y la misma vida al acumularse es como una enfermedad que nos va matando. Pero en esta epidemia, la proliferación de ciertos agentes ambientales tiene su buena parte de responsabilidad, y en esta ciudad donde mis amigas se viven enfermando, Medellín, resulta que el nivel de contaminación por humo es uno de los más altos del hemisferio.

La actual administración municipal tiene el mérito (y sobre todo el valor) de haberse atrevido a hacer el diagnóstico. Medellín, encerrada en montañas por los cuatro costados, es una honda batea donde no hay viento que se lleve el humo, donde no hay espacio que se lleve el ruido, donde no hay suficientes parques verdes que purifiquen el aire y nos alejen del tráfico, del ajetreo, las fábricas y el diesel. Sobre todo del diesel.

PUBLICIDAD
Lamento tener que usar esta palabra, pero sostengo que Ecopetrol, la empresa más grande y rentable de este país, comete un crimen con Medellín y con casi todas las ciudades de Colombia. Un crimen, porque algo que se ha demostrado a saciedad en muchas partes del mundo, es que los pésimos combustibles como los producidos por ellos, enferman a la gente de cáncer. El dato escueto y desnudo es terrible: en la mayor parte de Estados Unidos el máximo de “partículas de azufre por millón��? (PPM) permitido es de 15. En Europa y en Chile, el límite tolerado se eleva hasta 50. En Bogotá, después de una lucha ambiental de la Alcaldía, han conseguido que Ecopetrol les suministre diesel de 1200 PPM. Pero en Medellín y en casi todo el resto del país el diesel con que nos envenena Ecopetrol tiene ¡4.500 partículas de azufre por millón! Un crimen.

Sí, ya sé que están trabajando para resolverlo, que nuestras refinerías tienen decenios de atraso tecnológico, que esto hará más caro el transporte, que para el año de Upa están comprometidos a darnos un diesel de 1.200 PPM… Será muy tarde: los amigos míos se viven muriendo, las amigas mías se viven enfermando y todos mis allegados, terminando por mí, vivimos con ojos rojos y con dolor de garganta. El aire encajonado en este Valle del Aburrá es una porquería. Tiene además niveles altísimos de benceno (ese no viene con el diesel sino con la gasolina de Ecopetrol, la extra y la normal). El nivel aceptable de benceno en el aire, según el Ministerio de Salud, es de cinco. En muchas partes de este valle los niveles superan el índice ocho. Se sabe que el benceno (un aditivo de la gasolina) es cancerígeno, y que puede reemplazarse por el menos nocivo tolueno para evitar problemas de salud. Pues bien, nuestras autoridades energéticas no lo hacen, ni los padres de la patria expiden leyes para ponerle límites a la empresa que nos está enfermando, ni a los importadores de motos les importa qué motos traen a Colombia.

Está claro, en este país de asesinatos y secuestros, de paramilitares y guerrilleros, “lo urgente no deja tiempo para lo importante��?, pero ahora que en Medellín han bajado los homicidios, nos estamos dando cuenta de otros motivos por los que la gente se nos muere antes de tiempo. La muerte es un destino ineluctable. Sin embargo puede postergarse hasta esa única muerte aceptable: la de viejos. Si nos estamos muriendo antes de tiempo, parte de la culpa la tienen no solo las pistolas y los matones, no solo el aguardiente y el tabaco. Buena parte de la culpa la tienen el humo de los carros y de las fábricas que usan el pésimo combustible con que nos está envenenando Ecopetrol.

¿La solución? Refinerías modernas, transporte público con combustible más limpio, peajes electrónicos para el uso de los carros particulares en ciertas calles, prohibición de las motos con motores de dos tiempos. Las soluciones se conocen, pero no hay un gobierno que obligue a tomarlas. Viven muy ocupados, peleando a los alaridos con la oposición. Y mientras tanto los amigos suyos, y los míos, se viven muriendo.

By tejasmarcos on Feb 1, 2008, 06:16 in Friendly Talkzone.

rocinante says on Feb 1, 2008, 06:19:

Not being a doctor I have to assume that 5 years are shaved off an average life here in Medellín, due to the extreme pollution. It's unspeakably horrendous.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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robi666 says on Feb 1, 2008, 06:22:

Time we move? I do not find it so horrible, but I am surely wrong on this...

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Timba says on Feb 1, 2008, 06:37:

The new rage.
They are selling these pots that wash your sinuses with saline solution.

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Medellin Traveler says on Feb 1, 2008, 06:38:

tejasmarcos, great article.

I've often heard many people complain of the air quality but never imagined it would be due to the fact that the lack of EPA and government regulations for clean air would be the biggest culprits. The difference in PPM allowed in Medellin is staggering!

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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tejasmarcos says on Feb 1, 2008, 06:44:

i agree, mt. the power of ecopetrol is even more staggering! look at the human cost associated with profit tradeoff to Ecopetrol.

just like the states - big money influence over politicians at the expense of the common man/family. trading money for lives and washing away the guilty conscience with political contributions and payoffs - political payolla. shame, shame, shame.....

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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rocinante says on Feb 1, 2008, 06:52:

And let's not talk about the Rio. EPM and other corporations dump tons of shit up river and then EMP builds a filtration system at the expense of the tax payers here to clean up the river as it flows down.

Instead of just stopping the dumping.

I'm not one to change the country in which I love, live and am a foreigner, but if I could flip a switch and clean up the air....

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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tejasmarcos says on Feb 1, 2008, 06:55:

"I'm not one to change the country in which I love, live and am a foreigner, but if I could flip a switch and clean up the air...."

- if you could do that roci, you would be dead at the hands of the power elite at Ecopetrol. they would never stand for that. scary thought, huh?

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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rocinante says on Feb 1, 2008, 06:56:

It's like inventing an engine that runs on water. Talk about instant death.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Rob77 says on Feb 1, 2008, 07:04:

What makes it harder to comprehend and accept is that Bogota demanded and received a better quality fuel for its city. What makes Medellin any different that it can not demand the same?

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

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tejasmarcos says on Feb 1, 2008, 07:12:

rob77 - good question.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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rocinante says on Feb 1, 2008, 07:21:

good question - nobody knows. How much does it cost to replace busses that have been in use since the 1960s? All of them? That would be a start. Also gas prices here are not cheap.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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Mononoke28 says on Feb 1, 2008, 07:23:

I agree, every time I go to Medellín it takes me a good week to learn how to breath, especially when I'm in the centro running errands. Or every time my bus goes by the Avenida Oriental I just can't even breath through my mouth. It's incredibly disgusting.

Diana

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nine inch nails says on Feb 1, 2008, 08:24:

Really noticed it on my 2nd trip there when we descended into the city. Smog bowl extreme. Some is expected in Latin but this is thru the roof. Did they give any ratings for any other Latin cities other than Bogota?

Just one more way the poor get screwed since the rich I believe tend to live mostly higher up in the hills with a relatively lower concentration.

Bringing all my inhalers in 2 weeks for sure.

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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tejasmarcos says on Feb 1, 2008, 08:28:

no other cities were listed. you are right about getting out of the valley to avoid the higher concentrations of pollution.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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rocinante says on Feb 1, 2008, 08:35:

"Just one more way the poor get screwed since the rich I believe tend to live mostly higher up in the hills with a relatively lower concentration." Nine Inch Nails

Just reverse that in Latin America. The rich live on the flat land and the poor are in the hills.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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pedro says on Feb 1, 2008, 09:09:

The remedy is already underway. The law was put in place by the Colombian government in 2006 and the target has to be met by 2010:

http://www.ecopetrol.com.co/especiales/CartaPetroleraDic06/rev_refinac...

The whole world has been caught out in a squeeze in refining capacity, where it was suddenly discovered there was not enough capacity:

http://investmiddleway.blogspot.com/2006/05/sweet-and-sour.html

This led to a bidding war for the better quality fuels, which apparently are diminishing. Obviously not everyone can be a winner in the bidding war, and Colombia is not exactly a heavyweight in buying power compared to other countries.

There is a lead time to build the new refining stages and this is happening as we speak. I didn't read the Semana article, just the one that's pasted in the thread. But if this is not mentioned in the information given, you are only being given half-truths and you have to ask why you didn't get the rest of the story.

This worldwide capacity constraint has happened in other sectors (iron ore) etc where there was no profit motive not to build the capacity. In other words, planners all over the world got caught out by the sudden hunger for resources, and missed the opportunity to build extra capacity. Even when this capacity would have led to net profit rather than net cost. Nobody saw this coming so rapidly.

It will be interesting to see how zealously the other possible measures are pursued in Colombia -- banning inefficient engines, making old buses obsolete and enforcing vehicle emissions controls. These are not politically popular measures to impose on the lower and middle classes. Will it happen, or will the government look the other way?

que nota!

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manINred says on Feb 1, 2008, 09:14:

The air quality in Medellin can be terrible.

One thing that I think is imperative (but won't be done) is to put strict controls on car exhaust fumes. Look at the old pieces of shit that drive around polluting the hell out of everything. That includes the trucks and buses, and is one major reason why walking down 30 or any other major artery of Medellin it is difficult to breathe, or just outright nasty.

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pedro says on Feb 1, 2008, 09:15:

I am not real sure of the timeline here... but I would not be surprised if the new environmental standards were a trade off in the corporatisation of Ecopetrol.

Or at least were made possible by the high oil prices and injection of capital from the Ecopetrol IPO.

que nota!

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tejasmarcos says on Feb 1, 2008, 09:34:

nice followup data find, pedro. i had to run the language through a translator, but it looks to be a sizable venture in an effort to reduce the ppm levels. i did not fully understand the differentiation regarding diesel though. does diesel not factor into the new refineries?

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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CatGirl says on Feb 1, 2008, 09:40:

Tejas: Thanks for the info. I have been thinking of visiting Medellin and hear on/off about this issue in the posts. I stopped going to LA years ago because the pollution was so bad. So I take it this sample size reflects year round and the pollution would not be less during some periods of the year and more in others? (For example, in CA - Summer - certain cities (mostly Valleys) literally close down on big pollution days).....thanks

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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rocinante says on Feb 1, 2008, 09:42:

On the equator, besides rainy season there is one consistent climate. The air will choke you all year roiund.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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tejasmarcos says on Feb 1, 2008, 09:45:

good question catgirl. the indexes given were max allowable per city as a standard. i'm not sure what the actual city levels are though. i'm sure it varies based on season, presence of wind, rain, etc.

* the main culprits as i witness around the cities are the busses and heavy trucks (tri axel). they are the ones using the cheap diesel and emitting the bellowing clouds of black smoke. it is pretty bad at times and you can just see layers of it all the way down avenida del poblado and other areas of town.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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CatGirl says on Feb 1, 2008, 09:57:

Tejas & Roc - Thanks. Well, the way of the world is moving more towards Green. Maybe in the next decade public transportation will change in Medellin. Especially if they rely and encourage tourism and pollution keeps tourists away - huh? From what I have seen and heard Medellin is beautiful - the idea of that much pollution ...arggh. A shame.

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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tejasmarcos says on Feb 1, 2008, 10:04:

CG - the key is to escape the big cities when you can. the countryside is spectacular.

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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Medellin Traveler says on Feb 1, 2008, 10:18:

But I love the big cities!

The weekend visits to the fincas are fine, but I need to be surrounded by millions of people on a daily basis.

A tourist probably won't stop to think too much about the pollution, he's on vacation. I really don't have a problem when in Medellin.

Remember, which is to say don't forget, that they have added the new Metrocable, which opens in about 15 days, and has a longer route then the original one leading up to Santo Domingo. And, less not forget, that the Metro is going to be extended as well, inviting more locals to take public transportation. And if that's not enough.... the MetroPlus is in developement as well

So... it looks like they are actually making an effort by providing alternative forms of transportation in addition to Pedro's report above.

"Huevos Rancheros en Medellin, No Quiero Taco Bell." - www.medellintraveler.com

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CatGirl says on Feb 1, 2008, 11:38:

MT: Hey! New pic, less stubble and a smile....looks like you got a little Medellin in you now. Did you recover fine? I am referring to the post you made of feeling ill when you arrived for the party- There was quite a bug going around - not sure if that was what you had.

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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Mononoke28 says on Feb 1, 2008, 12:47:

LA's air pollution is nothing compared to Medellín's or so it seems. It's ridiculous.

That's why I like going to Envigado or Rionegro, the air feels a lot better there.

Diana

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Catfish35 says on Feb 1, 2008, 13:16:

When in Medellin last month I did notice the pollution in the city.
Great Article and Info ! I also took note that some efforts are being made to expand the Public Trans. However, I certainly do not think that it is enough to combat any of the allowances in the article.
I also wanted to point out, especially in Med. that poorer folk live in the hills and the richer city folk tend to live in or toward the center. This does not take into account that they may also have their Sta Elena Finca for the weekend tho.
But again, very good article and thanks!!

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

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robi666 says on Feb 1, 2008, 16:24:

Well, Poblado is not exactly on flat land.

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chrispej says on Feb 1, 2008, 21:58:

I have many friends here in the local government. It's complicated......like everywhere else in the world. But they are aware of the pollution and action is being taken to reduce the pollution. Medellin is going through a lot of growing pains but the local officials are trying.......

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nine inch nails says on Feb 2, 2008, 20:23:

Another critical item adding to extremely bad air quality there are the factories emitting pollution without pollution control equipment straight into the atmosphere.

Bet they'll get it in better shape soon.

get down, get down. are you afraid of the boogie monster?

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goin_south says on Feb 2, 2008, 23:04:

Can a guy go for a jog in Medellin without coming down with Cancer?

Yes, but only once.
Good post and article, tejas marcos.
Personally, I think it is equally if not more difficult, breathing in Cali, for the same reason: the pollution. I don't have sinus problems and all that. But, Medellin, el Centro was bad. Cali? I think, just the same.

Bogota? Hey, that is way up, in the mountain top, no?
And, Cali, Medellin... are in valleys? si?

I had no problem, not even considering the altitude, breathing in Bogota.
To me, in comparison, the air there was clean... as I would expect it should be, being on top of the mountain.

Pasto Air? Who cares?
It's good.

I'D RATHER BE.........IN COLOMBIA :-)).... (No Quiero Conozco Gustav)...(TEMPORARY NAME CHANGE: RUNNIN_NORTH! JEJE!!!)

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