Advanced determination of the spatial gradient of human health risk and ecological risk from exposure to As, Cu, Pb, and Zn in soils near the Ventanas Industrial Complex (Puchuncaví, Chile)

Tapia-Gatica, Jaime; González-Miranda, Isabel; Salgado, Eduardo Gomes; Bravo, Manuel; Tessini, Catherine; Dovletyarova, Elvira A.; Paltseva, Anna; Neaman, Alexander

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113488

Cited by 49 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Much of VIA sources had almost non‐existing emission controls until 1998 CE, but a pollution attainment program was established in 1991 CE. Despite the implementation of several actions for controlling the pollution load in VIA, chronic exposure of communities have brought detrimental health effects on local communities, increasing the risks of cardiovascular and respiratory mortality as well as cancer rates (Berasaluce et al., 2019; Salmani‐Ghabeshi et al., 2016; Tapia‐Gatica et al., 2020; Tume et al., 2019). More importantly, health hazards persist for >51,000 inhabitants as acute massive intoxication events by SO 2 emission spikes, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to poorly controlled fuel transfer have occurred during the recent decade (e.g., http://hdl.handle.net/11250/2596936; https://www.wired.co.uk/article/chile-quintero-pollution).…”

Section: Physiography Of Puchuncaví Sacrifice Zonementioning

confidence: 99%

A Cross‐Cutting Approach for Relating Anthropocene, Environmental Injustice and Sacrifice Zones

et al. 2022

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The Anthropocene is an uneven phenomenon. Accelerated shifts in the functioning of the Earth System are mainly driven by the production and consumption of wealthy economies. Social, environmental and health costs of such industrialization, however, bear on low‐income communities inhabiting severely degraded territories by polluting activities (i.e., sacrifice zones). How global, national and local socio‐economic and governance processes have interacted in perpetuating socio‐environmental inequalities in these territories has been rarely explored. Here, we develop an historical quantitative approach integrating a novel chemostratigraphic record, data on policy making, and socio‐economic trends to evaluate the feedback relationship between environmental injustice and Anthropocene in sacrifice zones. We specifically outline a case study for the Puchuncaví valley ‐one of the most emblematic sacrifice zones from Chile‐. We verify an ever‐growing burden of heavy metals and metalloids over the past five decades paced by the staggering expansion of local industrial activities, which has ultimately been spurred by national and transnational market forces. Local poverty levels have declined concomitantly, but this path toward social equality is marginal as costs of pollution have grown through time. Indeed, national and international pollution control actions appear insufficient in mitigating the cumulative impact brought by highly toxic elements. Thus, our sub‐decadal reconstruction for pollution trends over the past 136 years from a sediment record, emerges as a science‐based tool for informing the discussion on Anthropocene governance. Furthermore, it helps to advance in the assessment of environmental inequality in societal models that prioritize economic growth to the detriment of socio‐environmental security.

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Section: Physiography Of Puchuncaví Sacrifice Zonementioning

confidence: 99%

A Cross‐Cutting Approach for Relating Anthropocene, Environmental Injustice and Sacrifice Zones

et al. 2022

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“…'Sacrifice zone' is a term coined to reflect highly industrialised geographical places, which cause severe health problems to the communities living in those areas, and severe damage to the environment (Lerner and Brown, 2012;Oceana Chile, no date). Therefore, Quintero is a city where its citizens (called Quinterinos) are constantly having to endure unacceptable carcinogenic risks due to exposure to contamination (Tapia-Gatica et al, 2019). My textile was informed by the helplessness of Quinterinos, deliberately abandoned by the Chilean government which prioritises the economy and the industry above life -a situation which is even graver considering the critical state of the climate crisis the world is currently facing.…”

Section: Textile Testimonymentioning

confidence: 99%

Stitch after Stitch. Inspiring Arpilleras, Amateur Freedom, Intimate Activism and Letting Go

Espinoza

2022

CVIR

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As a Chilean embroiderer/researcher, the exhibition Threads, War and Conflict was close to my practice, since I research how embroidery can be used to elicit conversations on difficult sociopolitical matters. Participating in the workshop 'Letters to Arpilleristas' was an opportunity to express creativity by making a piece of textile art. Still, at the same time, it was challenging because we knew from the start that the piece was not to be kept for our contemplation. This brief auto-ethnographic essay reflects on needlework, labouriousness, self-care and letting go, with regard to the pieces created at the workshop.

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“…1). To determine if soils are contaminated, we used the background values reported by PGS Chile (2015) ( Table 1) and our previous studies on the spatial distribution of TEs in the soils of the Puchuncavi Valley (González et al 2014;Parra et al 2014;Tapia-Gatica et al 2020). In the control area and in the exposure area, the soils are comparable since they share a similar origin.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Health Risk Assessment from the Consumption of Vegetables Grown near a Copper Smelter in Central Chile

Lizardi

Aguilar

Bravo

et al. 2020

J Soil Sci Plant Nutr

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The intake of trace elements (TEs) through the consumption of vegetables is a subject of great concern. This study intends to evaluate human health risks associated with consumption of vegetables grown near the Ventanas copper smelter (Valparaiso region, Central Chile). Experimental plots were established in the proximity of the smelter and in a control area. Leafy vegetables (lettuce, chard, and cabbage) and root vegetables (potato, carrot, and beetroot) were grown on the experimental plots. Daily intake of elements was estimated based on consumption habits. A hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated as a ratio between the daily intake and the reference dose that represents the maximum safe TE intake. Generally, concentrations of TEs in the edible tissues of vegetables were higher in the exposure area than in the control area. The most significant difference was for leafy vegetables, with arsenic (As) being the main TE of concern. Lettuce was also the vegetable of concern due to its relatively high consumption rate and a relatively high concentration of TEs in the plant tissue. In this study, we obtained an HQ value of~0.6 for inorganic As considering vegetable consumption pathway, for the age group of 1-5 years old. Likewise, our previous study reported a similar HQ value of~0.6 for inorganic As considering incidental soil and dust ingestion pathway, for the same age group. Importantly, HQ value surpasses 1.0 for inorganic As considering both exposure pathways. Thus, there is a health risk associated with soil As for inhabitants of Puchuncavi Valley.

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Advanced determination of the spatial gradient of human health risk and ecological risk from exposure to As, Cu, Pb, and Zn in soils near the Ventanas Industrial Complex (Puchuncaví, Chile)

Cited by 49 publications

References 27 publications

A Cross‐Cutting Approach for Relating Anthropocene, Environmental Injustice and Sacrifice Zones

A Cross‐Cutting Approach for Relating Anthropocene, Environmental Injustice and Sacrifice Zones

Stitch after Stitch. Inspiring Arpilleras, Amateur Freedom, Intimate Activism and Letting Go

Human Health Risk Assessment from the Consumption of Vegetables Grown near a Copper Smelter in Central Chile

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