Chile Targets Power Plants, Smelter After Hundreds Sickened

Power plants and a smelter near Chile’s Quintero port could be forced to close when air pollution is high after hundreds were recently sickened by toxic gases.

Environment Minister Carolina Schmidt announced Sept. 24 the Chilean government gave itself the authority to shut down industries near the port after hundreds reported suffering dizziness, headaches, and vomiting from exposure to toxic gases in late August. Children in Quintero returned to school Sept. 24 for the first time since the incidents began.

The port, located 103 miles northwest of Santiago, is home to a state-owned metallurgical complex, coal-fired power plants, ...