Estudio poblacional de contaminación por manganeso en la comuna de Coquimbo

Abstract

This is an ecological study that attempts to compare the behavior of the biological indicator “urinary Manganese” between an exposed and a non-exposed population to a polluting source, located in Coquimbo, Chile. The statistical analysis results in a risk of having high manganese levels in urine that is seven times greater in the exposed population. The attributable fraction is 86,9%. The concentration of manganese dust in the rooms of the sector is up to 500 times that found at the control site. We conclude that there is a serious health risk for the population who live near the pollutant source.