For the first time ever, samples were collected from volcanic lake waters in Costa Rica using an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone), which represents a major achievement in human–machine interaction and innovation in the technology sector. A Matrice 600 Pro drone was used for remote sampling in the hyperacid crater lake of the Poás volcano, the mildly acidic Lake Botos, and the nearly neutral Lake Hule. A bailer bottle of 250 mL and a HOBO temperature probe, mounted on the drone, were deployed using a specially designed delivery retrieval system. A comparison was carried out relating to the geochemistry of lake water collected by drone as opposed to the hand-collected samples. The SO₄⁻²/Cl ratios of the two samples at Poás hyperacid crater lake were similar, (1.1 ± 0.2) on average, an indication of a lake with homogenous water composition. The Lake Hule showed a similar composition to that registered 20 years ago. The waters from Lake Botos showed some differences, which may be explained by the influence of springs at the bottom of the lake, but the Wilcoxon's signed-rank test showed a good exhibit of a satisfactory level of similarity. Autonomous navigation proves to be very useful for faster, more efficient, reliable, and less hazardous sampling of volcanic lakes.

En este artículo se describe el estado del arte en relación con la influencia de las fuentes naturales y antropogénicas de los contaminantes atmosféricos en las características fisicoquímicas del agua de niebla y de lluvia en zonas boscosas. Se recopilaron resultados de investigaciones que se considera facilitarán a la comunidad científica la generación de proyectos en zonas boscosas montañosas. Se determinó que la mayor parte de estudios se han enfocado en el impacto de las emisiones gaseosas de fuentes antropogénicas de zonas urbanas en las características del agua de lluvia. Existen también otras investigaciones sobre la afectación del agua de niebla y de lluvia de zonas boscosas; estas igualmente indican que existe una importante relación de la calidad del agua de niebla y de lluvia de los bosques con las emisiones gaseosas antropogénicas, principalmente. En el caso particular de Costa Rica se han realizado dos pesquisas preliminares respecto al tema. La revisión del estado del arte sugiere un mayor control y seguimiento de los parámetros fisicoquímicos del agua (lluvia y niebla), con mayores tiempos de muestreo y análisis, y la identificación de las fuentes naturales y humanas de los contaminantes en las cercanías de las áreas de estudio.

In the production process of a graphic industry, inputs and raw materials used for printing documents. An input are chemical products that could generate a chemical risk, if not properly controlled through protocols for use, storage and disposal of waste. Some chemical substances used: inks, solvents, thinners, glues, protective rubbers, plate developers, among others. Chemical inhalation risk (RQI) generated in the workplace using substances with amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which could adversely affect the health of workers. A chemical risk assessment involves evaluating factors such as: the amount of a chemical, the exposure of a person with the contaminant in the environment and the toxicity of the chemical; its purpose is to identify and evaluate chemical substances and generate measures to reduce the impact on health. In the present research project an identification, valorization and prioritization of the level of chemical risk by inhalation (NRQI) generated in a lithographic offset industry in Costa Rica carried out. The identification of risks and dangers carried out using tools such as: literature review, checklist, interviews and field inspections. The valuation and prioritization of the RQI carried out using the French methodology of the National Institute for Security Research (INRS). Of the 15 chemical products used by the industry, it obtained that 53.3 % have a very high RQI. The products with the highest NRQI value were the thinner and the roller cleaner, which used for cleaning machines, with a frequency of continuous use in quantities between 0,7 L/month and 20,0 L/month. On the contrary, five products with low NRQI values identified, such as: ink in cartridge, coolant, cleaner 4, isopropanol and plate gum.

[Objective] The objective of this research was to carry out a preliminary diagnosis of the relationship between volcanic gaseous emissions and health effects present among workers of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) of the Poas and Turrialba volcanoes of Costa Rica. [Methodology] Ambient air quality was measured by the presence of gaseous emissions (SO2((g)), H2S((g)), HCl((g)), HNO3((ac)) and HF((g))), with sampling carried out in 7 strategic points during 7 months. Analyses were performed using different analytical techniques (ion chromatography, spectrophotometry, portable meters). At the same time, interviews were conducted with a sample consisting of 16 park rangers from the study sites, and their medical records were analyzed to detect a preliminary relationship between exposure to gaseous emissions and reported pathologies. [Results] The principal results (pollutants above the detection limit) reported for the two national parks indicated that the highest value in this study was that of SO2 (average of 3 h) in the Poas Volcano (1.90 +/- 0.11) mg/m(3). The highest concentration of SO2 in Turrialba was (0.40 +/- 0.04) mg/m(3) during the same period. During the evaluation of park rangers' health, it was found that the most frequently reported pathologies that impact health in the study population were irritation of the mucous membranes-eyes (n = 9), headaches (n = 8), and fatigue (n = 8). [Conclusion] The results obtained for the gaseous emissions and their possible relationship with pathologies and medical records indicated by park rangers provide a baseline for future research on the subject. A greater number of measurements over longer periods of time is recommended. At the same time, it is necessary to use surveys and carry out medical controls that include tests on specimens such as blood, urine, hair, and saliva, as well as the use of biological and chemical indicators that allow a pathology to be more directly related to a specific chemical contaminant.

The graphic industry is dedicated to printing documents using different technologies, one of which being offset lithographic printing. This production process and the use of chemical substances generate a negative environmental impact. The purpose of this environmental impact assessment (EIA) is to identify and evaluate the environmental impact and generate preventive, corrective, and compensatory measures. Generally, the main effects of this type of industry include generation of wastewater, gas emissions, noise, and solid waste. This research identified, assessed, and prioritized the main environmental aspects (AAs) and environmental impacts (IAs) generated in the offset lithographic industry in Costa Rica. Physicochemical analyses of wastewater (AR), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), total suspended particles (TSPs), noise, and luminosity were conducted to know the environmental situation of the industry. Environmental aspects were identified in conjunction with company officials, environmental management experts and through work sessions with focus groups, using tools such as bibliographic reviews, checklists, interviews and field inspections. The environmental aspects identified were assessed and prioritized using the Matrix of Environmental Impact Importance (MIIA) methodology. A total of 16 environmental aspects and 5 environmental impacts were identified. The most critical negative environmental aspect is VOC emissions, mainly due to the high concentrations found in the internal production plant and inefficient general or localized extraction systems. The three main negative environmental impacts were air pollution, health effects, and depletion of non-renewable resources, with environmental impact values of -64, -62 and -62, respectively.

[Objetivo] Se estudió la variación de las concentraciones del sulfuro de hidrógeno (H2S) y del amoniaco (NH3) en aire, en un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales en Costa Rica, para conocer el posible alcance de los olores producidos, con mediciones en el lugar y un modelo de dispersión de sustancias en el aire. [Metodología] Fueron realizados 13 muestreos en periodos de 12 horas y 24 horas, entre octubre del 2016 y febrero del 2017; con las mediciones de campo, se alimentó un modelo de dispersión. Se midieron los parámetros meteorológicos: dirección y velocidad de viento, radiación global, temperatura, porcentaje de humedad relativa, precipitación y presión atmosférica. Mediante el uso de los programas Aermed View y AERMOD, se demostró la dispersión de los gases alrededor de los puntos de emisión seleccionados en la planta de tratamiento. Al Aermet View se le incorporaron los parámetros de rugosidad superficial, la proporción de Bowen y el albedo para una zona rural. Los datos recolectados se incluyeron en AERMOD. [Resultados] La concentración de los gases emitidos por la planta se encuentra por debajo de los valores de percepción de estas sustancias, 0,70 µg/m3 (< 0,50 ppb) para el H2S y 26,6 µg/m3 (< 35,5 ppb) para el NH3. Se determinó que el canal de vertido es la fuente principal de emisión. Los gases generados se dispersaron hacia las comunidades vecinas de La Carpio, María Auxiliadora y Rincón Grande, en dirección noroeste; Carvajal Castro, Rossiter Carballo, Residencial Real Santamaría y Lagunilla, en dirección noreste, y la Comisión Nacional de Emergencia, en dirección sur. Los valores de error se encontraron en un ámbito entre el 5 % y el 48 % para el H2S y entre el 8 % y el 75 % para el NH3. El índice de concordancia (IC) mostró una similitud entre los valores predichos y los valores observados, tanto para el H2S como para el NH3. [Conclusiones] Las emisiones gaseosas de H2S y NH3 provenientes del sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales no representan un riesgo para la salud ni el medio ambiente, en las poblaciones cercanas.