Mexico City emits new pollution alert for high ozone levels

MEXICO CITY - Mexican authorities have issued a new smog alert for the capital after ozone levels rose above 150% of acceptable limits.

It’s the fourth time this year that Mexico City has seen such an alert, which triggers additional restrictions on automobile usage.

On Sunday 20% of vehicles will be barred from the streets of the capital and the surrounding suburbs. If conditions don’t improve, that will increase to 40% on Monday.

The Environmental Commission of the Megalopolis said Saturday that it hopes for a “slow but gradual scattering of the contaminants.”

In March, Mexico City issued its first pollution alert in over a decade. Since then it has lowered the threshold at which an alert is declared, from 200% of acceptable levels to 150%.