The Latin American region is set to take an important step forward in tackling the shared challenge of odor pollution through an online seminar hosted by AIDIS Chile, scheduled for August 14 at 12:00 hrs (Chile time). Titled “Regional Regulations and Initiatives on Odors,” this seminar will bring together public administration experts from Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina—reflecting a multinational effort to address odor pollution.
The upcoming webinar, organized by AIDIS Chile (Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering), will serve as a regional platform for the exchange of experiences and regulatory strategies. According to the official program, the event will place special emphasis on the value of technical cooperation among countries facing similar challenges but operating under diverse socio-economic contexts.
Odor pollution, which can cause immediate effects such as headaches, insomnia, nausea, and respiratory issues, has been a persistent source of discomfort and concern for communities across Latin America, regardless of national borders. In response, each country has developed its own frameworks, regulations, and technical tools to mitigate these problems.
The experts who will speak at this webinar are:
- María del Carmen Cabeza Alarcón (Colombia): Environmental and Sanitary Engineer and public policy specialist with over 15 years of experience, currently leading the Urban Environmental Management Group at Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.
- Daniela Caimanque Fredez (Chile): Environmental Engineer and expert in public policy, who leads Chile’s National Odor Management Strategy from the Ministry of the Environment, with a strong track record in atmospheric contamination regulation.
- Verónica Ergüez (Uruguay): Chemical Engineer with extensive experience in environmental control at Uruguay’s Ministry of Environment, currently pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Engineering.
- Roberto Pepino (Argentina): Renowned researcher and director in Environmental Chemical Engineering, with leadership roles in academia, environmental research, and technical standards organizations in Argentina.
This event (held in Spanish on the 14th of August) highlights a broader shift in Latin America toward coordinated regional responses to environmental challenges.
The seminar is free of charge for AIDIS members and costs USD 20 for the general public. Registration is available online here. The full agenda and list of participating experts can be downloaded from this link.
By fostering collaboration and mutual learning, this regional webinar aims to inspire future policy alignment and an improved regulatory environment for odor management throughout Latin America.