Contaminación ambiental

Abstract

In this work the effects of pollution on human health are analised. Current agricultural development causes a specific type of pollution. This is due to the extensive use of pesticides in export production. This pesticides not only have an effect on the workers who use them but also on the population as a whole and on the wild life. Today there is no technology available that can efficiently protect the population. Santiago city, in fast growth, has a deeply working pollution rate, especially because of the enormous difficulties that the elimination of the contaminating agents present. The most important, acute and chronic, effects of pollution are presented. There is special mention of the irritative ana inflammatory effects on respiratory air- ways, including asthma and chronic obstructive air- ways diseases. Lung cancer is mention as a long term effect and the urban rate is compared with the incidence in non polluted rural areas. Several historical cases with high mortality for pneumonia due to S02 effects (London, Mosa Valley, etc.) are mentioned. Today, as a consequence of the use of antibiotics, mortality is no longer a good indicator of severity in these cases. The increase of carbon monoxide in the air reduces haemoglobin availability and this in turn may cause coronary insufficiency. The need for adequate instruments, which can recognize and measure atmospheric pollution by samples, informing authorities and citizens alike, is discussed. The current information, dating from 1988, only informs about gases and not. About small particles which are a serious polluting factor. The pollution reduction in Santiago is related to a policy that associates information, and political commitment with important investments.