Sulfur dioxide released by heavy industry in two cities in northwestern Chile, where a state of emergency has been declared.
At least 75 people, including 50 students, were poisoned today, Tuesday, by heavy sulfur dioxide released by heavy industry in two cities in northwestern Chile, where a state of emergency was declared.
The cities of Quintero and Putsunkavi, north of Valparaiso and known as “Chile Chernobyl” by Greenpeace, are home to mining, oil, gas, chemical and cement companies.
Headaches, itching in the eyes and throat, nausea, “50 children and 25 teachers’ assistants were affected by the effects of the toxic fumes,” said a statement from the municipality of Quintero. Children and teachers were monitored, and then they were able to leave the hospital.
“We had a peak of sulfur dioxide that exceeded five times the hourly rate. Quintero and Putsunkavi have been tolerating this situation for decades, but this must stop,” said Ruben Gutierrez, the mayor of Quintero, with a population of 31,000, 120 km. west of Santiago.
Authorities declared a state of emergency in the two areas where classes were suspended, exercise was banned like any other heating source, and temperatures were cool as winter approached in the southern hemisphere.
Sulfur dioxide, an indicator of pollution associated with fossil fuels, is part of the so-called classic airborne pollutants, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Pollution increased in the area of ​​50,000 when the Chilean government converted it from 1958 into an industrial center that now has four coal-fired power stations, oil refineries and copper smelters.
The governor of Valparaiso, Rodrigo Mundaka, called for “clarification of responsibilities because pollution can not be free, nor can it mortgage the lives of children.”
