Xapuri, in the interior of Acre, was the Brazilian city with the worst air quality in 2023, according to a survey | Acre

The hometown of rubber tapper leader Chico Mendes, Xapuri, in the interior of Acre, is considered the municipality with the worst air quality in Brazil. This is according to a report by the Swiss company IQAir that analyzes air pollution levels in several countries. Another six cities in Acre are part of the list of 38 Brazilian municipalities.

According to the World Air Quality Report, in free translation, in 2023 the level of pollution in Xapuri was seven to ten times higher than the rates recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The worst rates were recorded in August, September and October, when the level of pollution particles recorded reached 31.5 µg/m³, 38.8 µg/m³ and 26.8 µg/m³ respectively. On average, the city had 21µg/m³ during the period.

The capital, Rio Branco, comes in 20th place, with an average of pollution particles of 11.8 µg/m³, completing the list of Acre cities with the worst air quality, Manoel Urbano, in 23rd place with 11.5 µg /m³; Cruzeiro do Sul, in 32nd place with 8.4 µg/m³; and Tarauacá, in 33rd position with 8.2 µg/m³.

The ranking also shows that the months with the highest concentration of polluting particles in the air of Acre’s cities coincide with the period with less rain in the region, between May and November, when urban fires occur. It is possible to notice that as soon as the so-called Amazon Winter begins, the rates improve.

To monitor Acre, the Swiss network is based on monitoring stations at the Federal University of Acre (Ufac) and the Public Ministry.

The survey uses the PM2.5 measurement, an acronym that represents particulate matter. According to the Brazilian Social Network for Fair and Sustainable Cities, PM2.5 is a type of inhalable particle, with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (µm) and constitutes an element of atmospheric pollution.

Within the report parameters, indices from 0 to 5 µg/m³ are considered ideal, and are given the color blue.

Indices between 5.1 and 10 µg/m³ are considered above ideal, but are still acceptable, as they pose few risks to the health of the population.

The averages that appear in yellow, orange, red and purple are the most worrying, in which the municipalities of Acre are classified.