ABSTRACT
Background: The Chilean Metropolitan region is exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels that are above the WHO Air Quality Guidelines. Aim: To report the exposure to nitrogen dioxide levels and to estimate the damage that these levels can cause in health. Material and Methods: Description of nitrogen dioxide levels in the Chilean Metropolitan Region between 2016 and 2018 and the attributable risk of these levels on the population health. Results: The average hourly levels of nitrogen dioxide exceeded 40 pg/m3. In the three years studied, 11,686 attributable health problems were estimated, including deaths, hospitalizations, and attendance to emergency rooms. Conclusions: We provide valid information to review and adjust primary air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide. The exposed population should be educated about the risk of this exposure to promote self-care.
ABSTRACT
Se describen impactos sobre la salud poblacional debido a la contaminación atmosférica y a la temperatura producto del cambio climático. Se ilustra la situación en Chile respecto de algunos indicadores como son los días de altas temperaturas u olas de calor, y la superficie de terreno afectado por incendios forestales. También se sistematizan los principales resultados de estudios ecológicos multicéntricos en los que se ha incorporado información nacional. Estos tuvieron como finalidad estimar el impacto de la temperatura y la contaminación atmosférica por material particulado, monóxido de carbono y dióxido de nitrógeno mediante un enfoque multicéntrico que abarcó varios continentes, países y localidades.
Impacts on population health due to air pollution and temperature caused by climate change are described. The situation in Chile is illustrated with respect to some indicators such as days of high temperatures or heat waves, and the area of land affected by forest fires. The main results of multicenter ecological studies in which national information has been incorporated are also systematized. These were aimed at estimating the impact of temperature and air pollution by particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide through a multicenter approach that spanned several continents, countries, and localities.