Una Evaluacion Comparative de Riesgos Para la Salud Ambiental en Lima Metropolitana

THIS REPORT CONTAINS the results of the Ecoriesgo project undertaken in 1996 and 1997 as part of USAID/Peru and the National Environmental Council of Peru's Sustainable Management of the Environment and Natural Resources project. The Ecoriesgo project sought to evaluate the main environmental problems in the metropolitan area of Lima. The problems identified are sub-divided into three categories; high, medium and low, in relation to the level of risk to health. The worst problems identified are poor and erratic water supply, limited sewerage and solid waste pollution. The pollution of surface and ground water, food contamination, ambient air pollution and sea pollution constitute the medium category. Finally, pollution by dangerous solid and toxic waste, domestic air pollution, and the loss of green spaces and agricultural land are considered least important. By classifying the environmental problems according to the severity of the health risks associated with them, the project identifies the areas that need to receive maximum attention as a part of overall urban management.

The report includes a chapter on the methodology adopted for the collection of data, followed by the results obtained. The remaining chapters are devoted to a more in-depth discussion of the individual environmental problems, and provide clear information with summaries in table form. Overall conclusions and recommendations are presented at the end of the report.