New Study: Long-term assessment and acute air pollution events in a mega-industrial area in central Chile

New Study Highlights Persistent Air Quality Issues in Central Chile’s Industrial Zone

A groundbreaking paper recently published by a research group sheds light on the severe air pollution challenges facing the Quintero-Puchuncaví industrial area in central Chile. Entitled “Long-term assessment and acute air pollution events in a mega-industrial area in central Chile,” the study presents a comprehensive analysis of air quality data collected from 10 monitoring stations in the region from 2010 to 2021.

The research highlights the critical levels of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the area, identifying PM fractions and SO2 as the pollutants of greatest concern. Notably, the study reveals that the area has experienced over 50 exceedances per year for PM2.5 and more than 300 for SO2, underlining the acute exposure risk to the local population.

The seasonal analysis indicated that pollution levels are particularly high during autumn and winter, exacerbated by low ventilation or calm conditions at night and in the early mornings. Despite these findings, the reported concentration levels during acute intoxication events do not fully explain the symptoms experienced by patients seeking care since 2011, suggesting that non-criteria pollutants and atmospheric conditions may play a significant role in these health incidents.

This study calls for further research into the concentration of non-criteria pollutants during periods of atmospheric stability and low ventilation to better understand the origins of these intoxications, assign responsibility, and prevent future occurrences. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted environmental and public health policies to address the persistent air quality issues in one of Chile’s most industrialized zones.

@article{nokey,

title = {Long-term assessment and acute air pollution events in a mega-industrial area in central Chile},

author = {Tomas Claramunt and Fiorella González and Sebastián Ávila and Manuel A. Leiva and Richard Toro},

doi = {10.1016/j.uclim.2024.101880},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-03-21},

urldate = {2024-03-21},

journal = {Urban Climate},

volume = {55},

pages = {101880},

abstract = {An evaluation of the air quality in the mega-industrial area of Quintero-Puchuncaví is presented through the analysis of the concentration levels of PM10, PM2.5, SO2, CO, O3 and NO2 registered at 10 sites of the official air quality monitoring network in the area between 2010 and 2021. Particulate fractions and sulfur dioxide have been identified as the most critical pollutants. The daily concentration levels of PM2.5 and SO2 registered more than 50 and 300 exceedances per year, respectively, demonstrating the acute nature of the exposure of the population living in the area. The seasonal variability of PM10, PM2.5 and SO2 is characterized by higher concentration levels in the autumn and winter months, especially during the nights and early mornings in low ventilation or calm conditions. The concentration levels of PM10, PM2.5 and SO2 during acute intoxication events does not explain the symptoms of intoxication of patients who have been filling the health care centers in the area since 2011. The concentrations of noncriteria pollutants under conditions of atmospheric stability and low ventilation must be studied in depth to understand the origin of the intoxications, assign responsibilities, and avoid their occurrence in the future.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}