| Description: | The effects of pollution on the inhabitants of a shantytown in the suburbs of Santiago is depicted in this arpillera, made in one of the Vicaría de la Solidaridad workshops. We see people, under a darkened sky, going about their daily activities, choking on the smog and car fumes. Clearly they are frustrated by this. The cars speed by, oblivious to their impact on the shantytown dwellers and the environment. People have gathered in the street to protest. With their banner that says "Do Not Pollute", they are demanding change.
Clearly, in this arpillera, it is the poor who bear the brunt of pollution and who stand to be most severely impacted by it, whilst being largely excluded from political decision-making. The government at this time viewed environmental protection as detrimental to economic growth.
Santiago's air pollution, primarily from heavy industry and also from a rapidly increasing population, represents a huge challenge for the authorities responsible for reducing the damage caused during the years of environmental negligence. Air pollution levels in Santiago have had significant effects on human health, including premature death and respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma.
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