Spatial–Temporal Analysis of PM2.5 Contamination, Thermal Pollution, and Population Social Backwardness in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City

Atmospheric contamination and thermal pollution are two phenomena that impact negatively on the quality of life of residents in a city. Furthermore, exposure to these phenomena has a differential impact on socioeconomic strata, with the poorest being the most affected. Spatial and temporal analyses were conducted of PM2.5 pollution and air temperature, as well as socioeconomic variable. This characterization revealed that low-income people are more exposed to thermal pollution during the warm season with temperatures up to 32.6 °C, and to PM2.5 pollution with concentrations up to 205 µgm−3 during the cold season, focusing on the eastern part of the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (MAMC). High temperatures can persist for up to 6 h, while PM2.5 concentrations can persist for up to 5 h. The social backwardness index is a fixed variable that can change in the long term and is related to thermal pollution. This study will allow us to understand social and environmental vulnerability and, thus, to develop an appropriate mitigation methodology for these two phenomena and their impact on human health, with special attention to environmental justice issues.