Chile's Soccer Prowess Could Indirectly Be Contributing to Country's Pollution Problem
Those weekend celebratory barbecues apparently aren't helping air quality.
— -- Chile is dealing with an elevated level of air pollution and it may have something to do with the fact their country's soccer team was on fire at the Copa America on Saturday.
Well, not literally, but the seven-to-nil win against Mexico may have inspired some Chilean soccer fans to celebrate the blowout victory with barbecues. The emanating smoke may be a contributing factor in the increased air pollution recorded in Santiago and some southern Chilean cities over the weekend, authorities said, according to the Associated Press.
Chile's next match is against Colombia on Wednesday night in Chicago. Along with barbecues, traffic congestion and burning firewood were also named as contributing pollutants.
A graph compiled by newspaper La Tercera showing the pollution levels as they correlate to Chile's matches was tweeted by Santiago's mayor, Claudio Orrego.
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