Monterrey, Mexico’s second-largest city, is surrounded by towering mountains. But thick smog has become a constant presence, hiding the landscape and affecting residents’ health. “We can’t breathe anymore,” says Ximena Peredo, an activist who calls Monterrey home. “We can’t see our mountains.”
According to the Integral Ecological Committee (CEI), Monterrey had good air quality for only 85 days in 2024. For the other 281 days, pollution levels exceeded legal limits set by Mexican law. Peredo, a former secretary of citizen participation in Nuevo León, emphasizes the gravity of the issue. “Breathing shouldn’t be a luxury,” she says.
Several factors contribute to Monterrey’s pollution crisis. One major issue is the outdated Cadereyta oil refinery, which hasn’t been properly maintained. Research indicates that gasoline from local state-owned stations generates more harmful emissions compared to gasoline in other major cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara. Compounding the problem, a poorly developed public transportation system forces more people to rely on cars, spiking fossil fuel emissions.
The impact on public health is dire. A recent study from the Clean Air Institute found that over 2,500 lives in Nuevo León are lost each year due to chronic exposure to polluted air. Vivianne Clariond, an environmental activist, notes that warning systems for heavily polluted days have been largely ineffective. In 2024, even when conditions met criteria for issuing warnings, authorities declared only four alerts. Recently, the state’s environmental secretary announced the elimination of preemptive air quality warnings altogether, a move that has drawn widespread criticism.
“We won’t know there’s a problem until it’s too late,” critics argue. Unlike Mexico City, where pollution alerts prompt restrictions on industrial activity, Monterrey often feels like business as usual, even in hazardous conditions. “The industry keeps running,” says Clariond, highlighting a lack of urgency in addressing the crisis.
Amidst growing frustration, residents like Nesib Inayeh are organizing to demand action. Inayeh started a social media campaign after feeling overwhelmed by the worsening air quality. He created a WhatsApp group to gather others concerned about the issue, quickly drawing in over a thousand people. “It was incredible to see how eager people were to join,” he recalls. This movement coincided with the visit of President Claudia Sheinbaum, providing a platform for activists to raise their voices.
Activists flocked to Sheinbaum’s event, rallying around the hashtag #NLNoPuedeRespirarClaudia, meaning “Nuevo León Can’t Breathe, Claudia.” Their efforts caught attention, leading to the announcement of a partnership with the National Autonomous University of Mexico to formulate a pollution reduction strategy. Sheinbaum had previously vowed to tackle air quality issues comprehensively during her inauguration.
In March 2025, Alicia Bárcena, the secretary of the environment, introduced the Metropolitan Environmental Commission in Monterrey, a step many hope will bring real change. “We need to see where emissions come from and how we can improve air quality,” she stated. However, skepticism remains. Critics worry the commission may fall short without a clear, actionable plan.
On March 4, a contingent state was finally declared, highlighting the importance of swift action. Amidst alarming air quality and the risk of wildfires in the region, local leaders are being urged to prioritize environmental solutions. Selene M. Guajardo, a biologist with the Citizen Air Quality Observatory, emphasizes the necessity of educating the public about the health risks of pollution. “All sectors—government, industry, and citizens—must come together,” she stresses.
Peredo reflects on the future, highlighting the need for citizen organization. “Communities that clean their air will thrive; those that don’t will struggle.” While they face many challenges, residents are determined to seek solutions. “Right now, we’re only beginning our fight,” she concludes.
In short, the air quality crisis in Monterrey poses significant threats not just to the environment but to public health. As the conversation surrounding this issue grows, residents are becoming more engaged, pushing for necessary changes in policy and practices. For more information on air quality issues and solutions, [visit the Clean Air Institute](https://www.cleanairinstitute.org).
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