Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a polluting gas produced mainly by burning fossil fuels, with both acute and chronic adverse health effects. The primary air quality standard in Chile, which regulates NO2 concentrations, allows concentrations significantly higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, which have become more stringent in response to a greater understanding of the risks. associated with exposure to this gas. Since 2019, the Ministry of the Environment has reviewed this regulation, and the process has been in the final project phase since September 2023. The new proposed standard seeks to reduce the permitted values for the hourly and annual concentrations of NO2, as well as introduce a new standard for 24-hour concentration, although these are still higher than those recommended by the WHO in 2021. It is imperative that the proposed standard be approved as soon as possible since its implementation and compliance would improve the quality of the air and reduce public health risks, although it poses significant operational and financial challenges.
María José Sáez-Terrazas, Universidad de Chile. Facultad de Medicina
Interna de Medicina
Karla Yohannessen-Vásquez, Universidad de Chile. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública. Programa de Epidemiología
Investigadora Adjunta, Centro de Ciencia del Clima y la Resiliencia (CR)2.
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How to Cite
Sáez-Terrazas, M. J. ., & Yohannessen-Vásquez, K. (2025). Update of Nitrogen Dioxide Air Quality Regulations and their implications for Public Health. Revista Chilena De Salud Pública, 29, e74960. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-5281.2025.74960
