Arsenic is a chemical element that is found freely in nature, either in minerals or metals, or released through various processes such as erosion or the eruption of volcanoes.

It is classified as a carcinogenic agent that causes multiple negative effects on human health in the short and long term, although despite its high toxicity it can be consumed daily without causing damage to the body with a maximum of 12 to 15 micrograms in a daily diet of meat, fish, vegetables and cereals.

Until recently it was not regulated in Chile, but recently this has changed. The Ministry of the Environment presented the draft of the "Primary Air Quality Standard for Arsenic", thus beginning the process of citizen participation that will last until July 13 and that seeks to set a maximum presence of this element as an annual concentration. , which will benefit several cities in the country.

This regulation proposes a concentration limit for arsenic in the air of 23 nanograms per cubic meter (ng/m3), in line with the recommendations of the United States Environmental Agency (EPA). To calculate the exceedance of the norm, an average of the annual concentration of three successive years will be considered.

In case of being close to exceeding the norm or when verifying that it was exceeded, the area must be declared as latent or saturated, which begins the preparation of an Atmospheric Prevention and/or Decontamination Plan for arsenic.

The good news is that this element can be treated by companies specialized in the management and treatment of hazardous waste, such as Hidronor. Thanks to our work in favor of the environment, we reduce the impact of this type of waste on the ecosystem, generating a great contribution to the sustainability of the country.