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### Viewing cable 08QUITO366, URBAN POLLUTION IN ECUADOR

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
08QUITO366 | 2008-04-24 14:27 | 2011-05-02 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Quito

`

    VZCZCXYZ0028
    OO RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHQT #0366/01 1151427
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    O 241427Z APR 08
    FM AMEMBASSY QUITO
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8755
    INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA PRIORITY 7523
    RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 3897
    RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS PRIORITY 3001
    RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ APR 1028
    RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA PRIORITY 2569
    RUEHGL/AMCONSUL GUAYAQUIL PRIORITY 3513

` `

    UNCLAS QUITO 000366

    SIPDIS

    SENSITIVE
    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: SENV ECON SOCI EC
    SUBJECT: URBAN POLLUTION IN ECUADOR

     ¶1.  (U) Summary:  Like many Andean nations, Ecuador is
    experiencing problems with pollution.  The level of hazardous
    organic compounds in Quito's air are twice that recommended
    by the World Health Organization and exceed EPA norms, and
    studies indicate that Quito residents suffer from an elevated
    level of upper respiratory infections.  The GOE has set air
    quality regulations, but provides little regulatory control.
    Virtually all monitoring takes place at the municipal level.
    End Summary.

    Quito's Exhaust-Filled Avenues a Tough Walk for Pedestrians
    --------------------------------------------- --------------

    ¶2.  (U) Quito's municipal Corporation for the Improvement of
    Air Quality (CORPAIRE) says that data gathered throughout the
    city have shown that short and long-term levels of
    particulate matter and dangerous organic compounds in Quito's
    air are more than twice that recommended by the World Health
    Organization.  Experts say this is due primarily to the black
    clouds of diesel exhaust emitted by the city's 6,000 buses
    and 13,000 heavy trucks.

    ¶3.  (U) The highest levels of particulate emissions have been
    recorded in southern Quito, the more industrial part of the
    city.  The average yearly concentration of fine particulate
    (or PM2.5, those containing more concentrated toxic organic
    compounds and heavy metals) in some areas in 2007 was 27
    micrograms per cubic meter, compared to the World Health
    Organization's yearly recommended standard of 10mg/m3, or the
    U.S. EPA standard of 15mg/m3.  The highest recorded 24-hour
    levels in 2007 were 65mg/m3.  CORPAIRE is studying the
    possibility of fitting city buses with special combustion
    burners to reduce particulate matter, but implementation has
    been delayed due to cost.  Quito's altitude complicates this
    situation, as vehicles burn more fuel than they would at sea
    level to drive similar distances.  The result is an overall
    higher level of emissions.  Finally, Quito's bowl-like
    topography ) mountain on one side, hills on the other, with
    a congested center ) traps the pollution.

    ¶4.  (U) CORPAIRE, in concert with Central University, is in
    the process of completing new studies on the effects of
    carbon monoxide absorption by Quito school children, and on
    the rates of upper respiratory infections among adults as a
    result of particulate matter in the air.  Studies from 2002
    showed elevated levels of respiratory illnesses.  CORPAIRE
    recognizes that most of its efforts to date have been aimed
    at reducing visible pollution, and that urgent steps need to
    be taken to eliminate chemical compounds in the air.

    Air Quality Standards and Enforcement
    -------------------------------------

    ¶5.  (U) Ecuador's National Regulatory Institution, or INEN (a
    technical agency run by the Ministry of Industry) established
    Ecuador's existing air quality standards.  These norms
    determine acceptable emissions levels for gasoline and
    diesel, identify pollutants, and outline methods for limiting
    their effects (INEN is responsible for mandating the
    elimination of leaded gasoline in 2000).  INEN does not,
    however, play an enforcement role.

    ¶6.  (U) Based on INEN norms, only the city of Quito, in 2006,
    has mandated the use of premium diesel by all buses and
    trucks, though premium has also just become available in
    Cuenca.  Premium diesel contains 500 parts per million of
    sulfur, as compared to the 7000 ppm sulfur in regular diesel
    fuel that is most commonly used in the rest of the country,
    and it appears that out-of-town trucks merrily belch the more
    polluting diesel when they visit Quito (diesel in the U.S.
    generally contains between 50-300 ppm sulfur).  The Ministry
    of Environment says there is currently not enough premium
    diesel produced in the country for its use to be mandated
    everywhere, and the cost of importing it is prohibitive.  The
    Ministry of Energy is responsible for monitoring the quality
    of diesel produced at Ecuador's four national refineries; the
    largest and most modern of these refineries was built in
    Esmeraldas in 1977.

    ¶7.   (U) There is no national regulatory agency to enforce
    emissions guidelines established by the Ministry of Industry.
     All air quality monitoring and advocacy in Ecuador ) as
    distinct from enforcement -- takes place at the municipal
    level.  Quito's CORPAIRE belongs to the UN Environment
    Program's Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV),
    and was founded in 2004.  It is headed by a board of
    directors with representatives from the Ministry of
    Transport, but does not report to any national scientific or
    technical agency.  Director Jorge Oviedo says the
    organization has assumed responsibility for most questions
    related to air quality throughout the country, but faces a
    constant funding shortage.  CORPAIRE worked closely just this
    year with the municipality of Cuenca to set up an air
    monitoring agency, CuencaAire, and regularly loans it
    equipment.  No equivalent organization exists in Ecuador's
    largest city, Guayaquil, but post understands that the city
    had contracted with a California company to do a feasibility
    study on the possibility of creating one.

    Comment
    -------

    ¶8.  (SBU) CORPAIRE officials were quick to point out that
    Quito's PM 2.5 levels are "lower than those of New York."
    Post notes, however, that New York's population is
    approximately seven times that of Quito.  Political and
    environmental activists frequently speculate that Ecuador's
    cities contribute relatively little to global emissions, and
    therefore, to the effects of global warming.  Possibly
    because of this, there seems to be little political will to
    combat urban pollution.  This general lack of sensitivity,
    combined with the absence of an air quality regulatory agency
    with the power to sanction, probably means that Ecuador's
    cities will continue to face high pollution levels and
    related public health problems for some time.  End comment.
    Jewell

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