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Original article: Colegio Médico advierte el impacto sanitario de los decretos ambientales sobre MP 2,5 y termoeléctricas retirados por el Gobierno de Kast desde Contraloría

The critical discussion on air quality, public health, and energy transition will return to the forefront on June 11, when the National Department of Environmental Health of the Chilean Medical Association hosts the talk titled «Environmental Decrees Canceled by CGR on PM 2.5 and Coal Plants: Implications for Health.»

This event will gather health, legal, and environmental experts to analyze the ramifications of the recent regulatory decisions made by José A. Kast’s administration and their effects on the population.

The event will be held on Thursday, June 11, from 18:30 to 20:00, in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at the National Council of the Chilean Medical Association, located at Esmeralda 678, Santiago, and a live broadcast via Zoom.

This gathering takes place amid concerns from various sectors over the retraction of environmental decrees from the General Comptroller’s Office (CGR), which are considered essential to strengthening environmental protection and advancing the country’s climate commitments.

One of the main discussion points will be the impact of air pollution on human health, particularly exposure to fine particulate matter PM 2.5, one of the most harmful pollutants due to its ability to penetrate deeply into the respiratory system and enter the bloodstream.

Scientific evidence links prolonged exposure to this pollutant with respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, strokes, lung cancer, and premature deaths, disproportionately affecting children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses.

Presenters

The opening of the discussion will be led by Dr. Yuri Carvajal, president of the National Department of Environmental Health of the Chilean Medical Association, who will discuss the health effects associated with PM 2.5 pollution and emissions from coal-fired power plants.

The session will also feature Sara Larraín Ruiz-Tagle, director of Chile Sustentable, who will address the global scenario and the current status of the decarbonization process in Chile, a public policy deemed crucial for reducing emissions in the energy sector and moving towards a cleaner and more resilient energy matrix in response to the climate crisis.

Meanwhile, Antonio Pulgar, coordinator of Studies at NGO FIMA, will analyze the current regulatory landscape and the implications that the withdrawal of environmental decrees from the General Comptroller’s Office might have for the protection of ecosystems and community health.

The organizers emphasize that the discussion aims to foster an informed debate on the relationship between health and the environment, at a time when Chile faces significant decisions regarding environmental regulation, energy transition, and adaptation to the climate crisis.

Event Details

«Environmental Decrees Canceled by CGR on PM 2.5 and Coal Plants: Implications for Health»
-Thursday, June 11, 2026
-18:30 to 20:00 hours
-National Council of the Chilean Medical Association, Esmeralda 678, Santiago
-Hybrid format (in-person and Zoom)
Participation is free with prior registration, through this form.

El Ciudadano

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