City in Nuevo León, Mexico
Air quality in Monterrey
Polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Monterrey was 23 µg/m³ in 2018, about 4.6 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. The metro area has among Mexico's worst air from traffic and industry; winter inversions and spring dust raise PM2.5. Check the SINAICA map.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 23 µg/m³ yearly average (2018). Measured at Monterrey.
- PM10: 57 µg/m³ (2018).
- Worst months: Dec–Feb.
Air quality across Mexico
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Guanajuato | 11 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| San Miguel de Allende | 12 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Querétaro | 13 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Mérida | 14.6 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Cuernavaca | 15.3 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Morelia | 16.4 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Puebla | 19 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Tijuana | 20 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Mexico City | 22 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Oaxaca | 22 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Monterrey | 23 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Guadalajara | 25 µg/m³ | Polluted |
Quick answers
Is the air in Monterrey bad?
Polluted: 23 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 4.6× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in Dec–Feb.
When is the air worst in Monterrey?
The metro area has among Mexico's worst air from traffic and industry; winter inversions and spring dust raise PM2.5. Check the SINAICA map.
How does Monterrey compare with the rest of Mexico?
People in Mexico breathe 17 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 23 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Monterrey
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Metrorrey
- Monterrey airport (OMA)
- SINAICA air quality
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.