Abstract

We measured and identified organic compounds which remain trapped in the inner air of the houses that use mineral coal for domestic purposes in Lota city, Eight Region, Chile. We also determined the concentration of dioxide sulphur present. For this we employed the Norm ASTI/ASTM D 3686 - 78, to determine and measure the organic compounds and the Norm ISO 4221, for the quantification of the dioxide sulphur. We found a great quantity of organic compounds in which prevail the hydrocarbons that vary between 0.920 to 0.010 ppb. The concentration of aromatic compounds is in the rank of 0.900 and 0.014 ppb. The concentration of dioxide sulphur is between 10.000 and 2.270 ppb. We also applied an inquiry to determine the real percentage of the population that uses this combustible and its proceeding. This resulted that 70.69% of the population of Lota city employ mineral coal for domestic uses, from three different sources. We determined a relation cause-effect between the domestic use of mineral coal, for the gases produced and remains kept in the inner of the houses with breath diseases that are prevailing in Lota city.