Article
Incidence of waste burning in the pollution of Posadas, Argentina: a challenge for climate change policies
Revista de Ciencias Ambientales (Trop J Environ Sci)
(2022)
Abstract
[Introduction]: This study poses a challenge to the governmental climate change actions and problematizes the emissions generated by garbage burning in many neighborhoods of Posadas city (Argentina). Beyond the auto- mobile traffic and the few industries in the city, the air quality is unsafe, and the frequency of smog is related to a cultural practice: garbage burning. [Objective]: The objective of this research was to know and identify neighbors' burning practices, risk management and analyze the most critical areas in the southern outskirts of the city. [Me- thodology]: The information was obtained from a sampling of PM 2.5 particulate matter in a group of neighbor- hoods in the southern outskirts, as well as from interviews with neighbors. [Results]: It is analyzed how, regardless of the legislation and the waste collection system, neighbors burn on sidewalks, in vacant lots, in backyards, in little-used streets, etc., a problem that is not informed, controlled, or regulated. [Conclusions]: finally, it should be noted that beyond the culture of handling garbage with fire, burning is a multidimensional problem, since it affects air quality and has harmful effects on public health in the medium and long term.
Keywords
- Air quality,
- health risks;,
- smog pollution;,
- urban environment.
Disciplines
Publication Date
Winter July 20, 2022
DOI
https://doi.org/10.15359/rca.56-2.2
Publisher Statement
Revista de Ciencias Ambientales, revista internacional, interdisciplinaria, de acceso abierto, creada en 1980 que se publica de manera semestral desde la Escuela de Ciencias Ambientales de la Universidad Nacional (UNA), Costa Rica.
Citation Information
Brites, Walter. (2022). Incidencia de la quema de basura en la contaminación de Posadas, Argentina: un desafío para las políticas de cambio climático. Revista de Ciencias Ambientales, 56(2), 17-37. https://dx.doi.org/10.15359/rca.56/2.2