Santiago, Chile's air pollution has worsened, causing sickness among its residents and prompting city authorities to declare the capital's first environmental emergency since 1999. This means that more than 900 industries will be temporarily shut down and around 40% of the city’s 1.7 million cars will be taken off the streets. The emergency will be in effect for 24 hours and may be extended if authorities determine that conditions have not improved. teleSUR