In 2022, the city of San Juan de Lurigancho, located in central Peru, was ranked as the Latin American city with the worst air quality, based on the concentration of particulate matter with a diameter equal to or less than *** micrometers (PM2.5). Out of a total of ** countries or territories analyzed in Latin America and the Caribbean, this city had the highest concentration of PM2.5 particles, with an annual average of **** μ²µ/³¾Â³. This represents one of the main environmental and health problems in the region, since the World Health Organization's air quality standards recommend a maximum annual average concentration of ** μ²µ/³¾Â³.
Chile and environmental problems
Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems facing Chile, especially in urban conglomerates. In addition to atmospheric pollution from industrial sources and transportation, this outcome is a result of a cultural and geographical mix in the country, where pollution generated by wood burning for heating and cooking is trapped by the mountains surrounding the extensive valleys of the South American country. Specifically, almost ** percent of Chile’s primary energy still comes from non-renewable sources. However, Chile has increased its renewable production capacity by approximately ** percent in the last four years and ranked fifth in the ranking of Latin American countries with the highest production capacity.
Burning the lungs of Latin America
Between 2019 and 2021, more than * forest fires were recorded in South America. The concentration was mainly in Brazil, with more than half of those recorded in 2021, although this is not a recent issue. In recent years, the annual deforested area in the Amazon has been steadily increasing, as has the area dedicated to cultivation. This is because one of the main purposes behind the fires has been to seize land and convert it into productive agricultural areas.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
Airvisual. (March 19, 2023). Latin American cities with the worst air quality according to particulate matter concentration in 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 05, 2026, from /statistics/1656891/ranking-of-the-most-polluted-cities-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/
Airvisual. "Latin American cities with the worst air quality according to particulate matter concentration in 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter)." Chart. March 19, 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 05, 2026. /statistics/1656891/ranking-of-the-most-polluted-cities-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/
Airvisual. (2023). Latin American cities with the worst air quality according to particulate matter concentration in 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 05, 2026. /statistics/1656891/ranking-of-the-most-polluted-cities-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/
Airvisual. "Latin American Cities with The Worst Air Quality According to Particulate Matter Concentration in 2022 (in Micrograms per Cubic Meter)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 19 Mar 2023, /statistics/1656891/ranking-of-the-most-polluted-cities-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/
Airvisual, Latin American cities with the worst air quality according to particulate matter concentration in 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1656891/ranking-of-the-most-polluted-cities-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/ (last visited August 05, 2026)
Latin American cities with the worst air quality according to particulate matter concentration in 2022 (in micrograms per cubic meter) [Graph], Airvisual, March 19, 2023. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1656891/ranking-of-the-most-polluted-cities-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/
