In the development of public policy on air quality, our laboratory continues to play a key role. Recently, we highlighted our participation as experts in the “Webinar on Closing the Citizen Consultation Process” related to the primary environmental quality standard for benzene. The main purpose of this activity was to provide feedback to the participants of the citizen consultation mechanism and to present the final regulatory instrument.
Additionally, we made a significant contribution to the “Expanded Operational Committee” for the development of the primary air quality standard for arsenic in PM10 particulate matter. As part of our participation in this committee, we submitted a technical report entitled “Real-time Concentrations, Atmospheric Dynamics, and Source Contribution: Historical Diagnostic Report and Continuous Monitoring of the Concentration Levels of Arsenic in the Atmosphere in the City of Calama.” This report is part of a collaborative effort to share progress, clarify the interests of the sectors involved, and gather the technical, scientific, social, and economic background information crucial to the process.
Moreover, Dr. Manuel Leiva was formally invited to participate as an expert in a meeting organized by the Ministry of Environment of Chile. This workshop is part of a broader project aimed at developing a roadmap for the review and development of air quality and atmospheric emission standards in the short, medium, and long term, called “Strategy for the Development of Air Quality Standards.” This strategy aims to establish regulations adapted to the Chilean reality, with the goal of continuously improving national air quality. This will significantly impact the protection of public health, the preservation of the environment, and the mitigation of climate change.
Finally, Dr. Leiva was also invited to participate in the “Expanded Operational Committee” for the development of the primary air quality standard for lead in PM10 particulate matter.