Análisis situacional de la Enfermedad Renal Crónica de causas no tradicionales en Costa Rica mediante modelado geoestadístico y la aplicación de un modelo de dispersión gaussiana para predecir los valores umbrales de exposición al material particulado por la población.

Chronic Kidney Disease of non-traditional cause (CKDnt) is one of the most important public health
problems not only in Costa Rica but in Mesoamerica. During 2022, the notification of CKD cases increased
by 65.9%, going from 3,905 cases in 2021 to 6,482 in 2022. This disease is highly disabling and irreversible,
with great social consequences since the affected people, mostly young men, are diagnosed in late stages
where after diagnosis what remains is dialysis for the rest of their life or a kidney transplant. The etiology
of this disease remains unclear, since it seems that CKDnt is a multifactorial disease. On the other hand,
the genetic susceptibility of populations or the influence of epigenetic factors on it have not yet been
adequately addressed. In previous research by the proponent group, based on the characterization of toxic
compounds found in the study area, which are nephrotoxic heavy metals in the sandy loam soil, an
exposure scenario for the population was constructed. In this scenario, the movements of toxics in the
environment were studied, from the point where they are emitted to the place where they come into contact
with the populations, recognizing this as an exposure route; in which, based on this, the phenomena to
which these particular populations are subjected have been studied, using 2D and satellite maps, wind
models provided by the National Meteorological Institute, among others. This proposal is based on the use
of X-ray scattering (XRD and μXRF) techniques for the mineralogical characterization of soil samples from
the study areas, the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques with a GDS detector to
measure especially dangerous soil particles that, due to their small size, easily enter the human body and
which the literature mentions are associated with heavy metals, such as PM10 and PM 2.5, and which in
these specific areas, due to their high volcanic influence and significant wind passage, are present at certain
times of the year in large quantities, especially in the populations of the study communities of this project.
Geostatistical techniques will also be used to determine the relationship between various geographic
variables and the incidence of CKDnt. Through spatial analysis and geostatistical modeling, we will seek to
identify significant patterns and correlations that can provide valuable information for the prevention and
approach to this disease in the affected population; Gaussian dispersion models will be generated using the AERMOD ® software as a tool to predict the movement of particulate matter from emissions
considering the physical characteristics of the dispersed material, the characteristics of the site where they
are deposited, the meteorological conditions will allow for the generation of estimates of risk zones where
specific exposure levels will be established that can be used as input for the bodies involved in public health
decision-making to take measures to reduce the level of exposure of vulnerable populations.

Establecer criterio científico sobre la influencia de
variables ambientales causales de enfermedad directamente sobre las
personas, con el fin de incidir en políticas públicas para la intervención de
la población afectada.

Estudios de monitoreo, transporte, degradación, toxicología ambiental, modelos
en diversas matrices. Desarrollo de nuevas técnicas e instrumentos.
Soluciones científicas, tecnológicas e innovadoras en el campo de la
prevención, mitigación, adaptación, control y corrección de problemas
ambientales.