According to a study published in February 2023 by the Chemical Engineering and Bioprocesses academic at the Catholic University (UC), Hctor Jorquera, who analyzed the air quality in Quintero and La Greda, two towns historically affected by episodes of acute pollution from from the Ventanas Codelco industrial zone; and was published in the international journal Journal of Hazardous Materials : Ventanas is responsible for the largest number of events of high concentrations of sulfur dioxide, both daily and hourly, leaving a negative environmental footprint, during the years 2014 and 2020, where the study period was carried out.

In Quintero, the specialist specified that the daily average of these concentrations exceeded the recommendation of the World Health Organization (40 micrograms per cubic meter) throughout the study period, frequently exceeding 200 micrograms per cubic meter at some times.

" The investigation showed that this town is affected from dusk to mid-morning by gaseous emissions from the industrial zone, while in the La Greda area the impacts on air quality are mainly manifested in the afternoons ," added the professor of UC Engineer.

Likewise, the study determined that there are a significant number of events of high concentrations of sulfur dioxide that affect the Quintero area, which come from the south. This means the existence of another similar source of contamination. According to the study, contamination can seriously affect the health of people in the communities that inhabit the sector.

In 2011, the La Greda School was closed and relocated as a result of air quality episodes that affected 128 people, including students, teachers and working staff, an instance where the health authority prohibited its operation. The above added to measurements and soil analysis due to the existence of high contaminant concentrations inside the classrooms, highly harmful to people's health.

After the poisoning in 2011, the families whose children were affected by the contamination were promised by the Undersecretariat of Health and the Seremi of that portfolio to carry out epidemiological monitoring to monitor the effects of the contamination on the children's bodies. However, monitoring was never carried out, according to an audit carried out by the Comptroller's Office, because the state Health and Environment entities did not have a list of the affected minors.

1. From the point of view of Corporate Social Responsibility, is there a demonstration of a social impact here?

2. Did health and environmental agencies act ethically?