Evaluación de los efectos causados por la exposición a gases en ambientes frecuentados por parte de funcionarios de los parques nacionales Volcán Poás y Volcán Turrialba

Ortiz Apuy, E. (2020). Evaluación de los efectos causados por la exposición a gases en ambientes frecuentados por parte de funcionarios de los parques nacionales Volcán Poás y Volcán Turrialba. [Tesis de Licenciatura]. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica.This study was developed under the framework of occupational health and occupational safety in order to evaluate the impact caused by the chemical substances emitted by volcanoes on the health of park officials. The environmental concentration of SO2 (g), H2S (g), HCl (g), HNO3 (ac) and HF (g) was determined in the Poás volcano (PNVP) and the Turrialba volcano (PNVT) of Costa Rica, through of active sampling with absorbent tubes and Denuders diffusion tubes. Additionally, rainwater, surface water and drinking water samples were collected in order to monitor the diffusion of derived anions (SO4 2-, Cl-, F- and NO3 -) in the hydrological cycle of each park. The most important results correspond to SO2 (g), which reached a maximum concentration of (0.40 ± 0.04) mg / m3 and (1.90 ± 0.11) mg / m3 in PNVT and PNVP respectively. (3 h average); These values ​​generate an alert when compared with international guidelines established for this period (Costa Rica (0.50 mg / m3), Colombia (0.75 mg / m3), United States (1.30 mg / m3) and Ecuador (1 , 50 mg / m3) Other species remained below the detection limit: HCl (g) (<30 μg / m3), HF (g) (<30 μg / m3), HNO3 (aq) (<10 μg / m3) and H2S (g) (<2 μg / m3), however, its presence in the area cannot be ruled out due to the existing historical evidence and the identifiable impacts in the surroundings (mainly in PNVT). Some determinants are considered environmental factors such as: solar radiation, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed and direction in dispersion and the impact of volcanic emanations. In parallel, a survey of perceived discomfort was deployed together with a review of histories medical (epicrisis) among the park rangers concerned. The results show conditions related to the respiratory pathways. upper atorias and skin. Despite the fact that the symptoms are congruent with the literature and that there is a common pattern among the epicrisis evaluated, the cause-effect cannot be directly linked to volcanic emissions because the population is not statistically significant and the complete diagnosis of each condition. However, it is emphasized that prolonged exposure to volcanic gases increases the possibility of developing health problems (mainly respiratory or heart conditions), whether due to chronic or acute exposure.Universidad Nacional, Costa RicaEscuela de Químic

Preliminary study on health effects and their relation to volcanic gas emissions exposure. A case study of two active volcanoes in Costa Rica

The objective of this research was to carry out a preliminary diagnosis of the relationship between volcanic gaseous emissions and health effects present among workers of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) of the Poás and Turrialba volcanoes of Costa Rica. [Methodology] Ambient air quality was measured by the presence of gaseous emissions (SO2 (g), H2S (g), HCl(g), HNO3 ( ac) and HF(g), with sampling carried out in 7 strategic points during 7 months. Analyses were performed using different analytical techniques (ion chromatography, spectrophotometry, portable meters). At the same time, interviews were conducted with a sample consisting of 16 park rangers from the study sites, and their medical records were analyzed to detect a preliminary relationship between exposure to gaseous emissions and reported pathologies. [Results] The principal results (pollutants above the detection limit) reported for the two national parks indicated that the highest value in this study was that of SO2 (average of 3 h) in the Poás Volcano (1.90 ± 0.11) mg/m3 . The highest concentration of SO2 in Turrialba was (0.40 ± 0.04) mg/m3 during the same period. During the evaluation of park rangers’ health, it was found that the most frequently reported pathologies that impact health in the study population were irritation of the mucous membraneseyes (n = 9), headaches (n = 8), and fatigue (n = 8). [Conclusion] The results obtained for the gaseous emissions and their possible relationship with pathologies and medical records indicated by park rangers provide a baseline for future research on the subject. A greater number of measurements over longer periods of time is recommended. At the same time, it is necessary to use surveys and carry out medical controls that include tests on specimens such as blood, urine, hair, and saliva, as well as the use of biological and chemical indicators that allow a pathology to be more directly related to a specific chemical contaminant.El objetivo del presente trabajo de investigación fue generar un diagnóstico preliminar entre las emisiones gaseosas volcánicas y los efectos en la salud presentes en los funcionarios del Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC) de los volcanes Poás y Turrialba de Costa Rica. [Metodología] Se evaluó la calidad del aire ambiental por presencia de emisiones gaseosas (SO2(g), H2S(g), HCl(g), HNO3(ac) y HF(g)), para lo cual se realizaron muestreos en 7 puntos estratégicos durante 7 meses. Los análisis se realizaron mediante diferentes técnicas analíticas (cromatografía de iones, espectrofotometría, medidores portátiles). Paralelamente, se realizaron entrevistas a una muestra compuesta por 16 funcionarios de los sitios de estudios y se analizaron sus expedientes médicos, con el fin de generar una relación preliminar entre la exposición a las emisiones gaseosas y las patologías reportadas. [Resultados] Los principales resultados (contaminantes por encima del límite de detección) reportados para los dos parques nacionales indican que el valor más elevado del presente estudio corresponde al SO2 (media de 3 h) y proviene del volcán Poás (1,90 ± 0,11) mg/m3. Por su parte, la mayor concentración de SO2 en Turrialba corresponde a (0,40 ± 0,04) mg/m3 durante el mismo periodo. Con respecto al proceso de evaluación de salud de los trabajadores, las patologías más frecuentemente reportadas y que impactan la salud de la población de estudio corresponden a irritación de mucosas-ojos (n = 9), dolores de cabeza (n = 8) y fatiga (n = 8).[Conclusión] Los resultados obtenidos producto de las emisiones gaseosas reportadas y su relación con las patologías indicadas por parte de los trabajadores y de los expedientes médicos son una línea base para futuros estudios de investigación en el tema. Se recomienda una mayor cantidad de mediciones en periodos de tiempos más extensos. Paralelamente, es necesario el uso de encuestas y la realización de controles médicos que incluyan exámenes en especímenes como sangre, orina, cabello, saliva, así como el uso de indicadores biológicos y químicos que permitan relacionar de forma más directa una patología con determinado contaminante químico.O objetivo desta pesquisa foi gerar um diagnóstico preliminar entre as emissões gasosas vulcânicas e os efeitos sobre a saúde dos trabalhadores do Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservação (SINAC) dos vulcões Poás e Turrialba, na Costa Rica. [Metodologia] A qualidade do ar ambiente foi avaliada quanto à presença de emissões gasosas (SO2(g), H2S(g), HCI(g), HNO3(ac) e HF(g)), para as quais a amostragem foi realizada em 7 pontos estratégicos durante 7 meses. As análises foram realizadas utilizando diferentes técnicas analíticas (cromatografia de íons, espectrofotometria, medidores portáteis). Em paralelo, foram realizadas entrevistas com uma amostra de 16 funcionários dos locais do estudo e seus registros médicos foram analisados a fim de gerar uma relação preliminar entre exposição a emissões gasosas e patologias relatadas. [Resultados] Os principais resultados (poluentes acima do limite de detecção) relatados para os dois parques nacionais indicam que o valor mais alto no presente estudo corresponde a SO2 (média de 3 h) e vem do vulcão Poás (1,90 ± 0,11) mg/m3. Por outro lado, a maior concentração de SO2 em Turrialba corresponde a (0,40 ± 0,04) mg/m3 durante o mesmo período. Com relação ao processo de avaliação da saúde dos trabalhadores, as patologias mais frequentemente relatadas com impacto na saúde da população estudada foram irritação da mucosa dos olhos (n = 9), dores de cabeça (n = 8) e fadiga (n = 8). [Conclusão] Os resultados obtidos com as emissões gasosas relatadas e sua relação com as patologias descritas pelos trabalhadores e os registros médicos são uma linha de base para futuros estudos de pesquisa sobre o assunto. Recomendam-se mais medidas em períodos de tempo mais longos. Em paralelo, é necessário utilizar pesquisas e controles médicos que incluam exames de amostras de sangue, urina, cabelos, saliva, assim como o uso de indicadores biológicos e químicos que permitam uma ligação mais direta entre uma patologia gerada por poluente químico específico.Escuela de Químic