Chile capital declares air pollution alert

CHILE has issued an environmental alert for its capital city because of air pollution.

Santiago is bordered by the snow-capped Andes mountains and smog from cars and factories is often bottled up.

City officials have placed limits on industries and on the circulation of cars.

It is the first environmental alert for Santiago this year.

Pollution is common during the southern hemisphere's autumn and winter months, and recent dry conditions have made the situation worse.