A factory Treating dangerous waste in Mexico He promised to transfer what the authorities call their “most polluted” operations after a Achieving the guardian.
The factory in the Montrerey Metropolitan area recycles the toxic dust that the American steel industry sent Zinc regains, according to these reports, which were produced in partnership with Quinto Elemento LAB, which is an investigative press unit in Mexico. Evidence of heavy metals revealed pollution In the surrounding neighborhoods.
The factory, Zinc, has since been competing with inspections and threats to close by environmental organizers, court procedures, and media audit.
The neighbors held repeated demonstrations outside the factory, and they carried signs with slogans such as “take your chaos to the United States” and “millions do not deserve our lives.”
Company He said that he works “according to each list in place”, and that by recovering zinc from the secondary products for the steel industry, it provides valuable materials from going to waste burials.
In a letter to the Nuwevo Leon state authorities, the company has now pledged to transfer its “density” operations away from its current location in the center of Monterey Metropolitan within two years. He did not specify where he was, but it will be “outside the Metrrepolitan area” and that the company will maintain “more than a thousand jobs.” I also promised to build a huge container It contains its materials On its current location, which is currently sitting, and planting more trees around its land.
Zinc Nacional did not provide answers to journalists’ questions about the details of the plan.
“It is something that has not happened before – companies that have started to close the operations,” said Eugenio Benia, director of Zinc Nacional, according to the registration of a meeting with the neighbors and the Mexican Minister of Environment in Noyfu Leon last week. He said this step is a small step in solving the “complex environmental problem” of the Monterey region.
“For us, it is a very important step, and it includes a brutal amount of money. We want to continue to cooperate, to be an open company.”
Some neighbors expressed doubts that the company will already follow its promises. Many of them say they are competing with dust and smoke from the plant for years and fear that pollution causes disease, especially for children and the elderly in the neighborhood.
“In their proposal, there is no mention of the affected citizens, and less than any talk about health or harm compensation,” said Ricardo Gonzalez, an activist in the neighborhood, who wonders if pollution from the factory has contributed to years of illness. He said that the company continues to maintain “they are compliance and do everything correctly.”
“So, for me, this suggestion is completely separate from reality,” he said.
Take samples of the soil conducted by the university’s pore doctor in cooperation with the investigation of high levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic in homes, schools and squares in the neighborhood – including one elementary school that had 1760 times the level of American work in lead dust in the window sills. The company’s emissions to the government show that they are leading lead, cadmium and arsenic in the air.
But Benia told the neighbors that, despite the Zinc Nacional Transfer plans, she ignores the research of toxins that found heavy minerals near its factory. He said that more samples should have been taken and that the university laboratory that analyzed the soil did not have a certificate of federal environmental agencies for such industrial samples.
He said: “We have not dealt with a distortion of this yet, but at some point the truth will appear.” “Because it affects people – it frightens the neighbors.”
He said, “It is clear that the competent authorities must conduct a more complete study that follows all legal protocols, so that they can build a strong issue,” he said.
The researcher, Martin Soto Jiminies, a professor at the University of Aceonomoma de Mexico, said he was always ready to explain his methodology, testimonies and conclusions of the company.
“We have raised the alarm about the pollution that was taking place,” he said. “But all decisions related to the closure, whether temporary or permanent, were based and supported by the site’s notes.”
The Federal Environmental Investigation Agency in Mexico, known as Profepa, is conducting NACIONAL investigations on many fronts, including air and soil test. She refused to renew the company’s “clean industry” certificate, which she kept for years, and announced a review of the environmental consultants that the company rented to obtain it. “Profepa is seeking to ensure that all companies that have a Profepa certificate already have a good environmental performance,” the agency said in a statement.
Twice in the past two months, the state government has said it has closed the ovens in the factory.
The company said that it cooperated with the inspectors and made a plan to accelerate pollution control and reduce its environmental imprint. On April 11, she won a certain matter of the court allowing her to remain working while the issue moves through the courts.
Glen Zambrano, director of gardens and wildlife of the state, lives near the factory and was frank against pollution.
“It was possible that they would fight – it’s a huge company. We expected it,” he said in an interview.
He said that soil and wildlife in the region are also tested for heavy metal pollution.
“We analyze soil and blood samples from the mammals that we picked up in the region.”
Families with schoolchildren in the region also seek to test blood and information about pollutants and their effects on health.
The neighborhood leader, Kristopal, said that some residents hope to form a committee to ensure progress in issues surrounding nacional zinc, in conjunction with professional researchers who can evaluate pollution in the region and its effects.
“There is currently no consensus,” Palacius said. “Some people believe that what zinc proposes today is just a plan to increase growth as a company. The deal seems comfortable for them, but it completely ignores the population who has already been affected.”
