High levels of toxic metals found in Barcarena rivers and streams

At least nine rivers and streams have been reported to have higher-than-allowed levels of toxic metals after the leaking of toxic waste from a mining company in Barcarena.

The information can be found in the second technical report drawn up by the Evandro Chagas Institute on the environmental impact and health risks of bauxite processing at mining giant Hydro Alunorte, released Wednesday (Mar. 28).

The water was reported to be unsuitable for both human use and fishing in several areas.

Marcelo Oliveira, researcher at the institute, said that the contamination spread through several rivers. “We’ve had levels of five to six chemical elements beyond the allowed by the law, depending on where samples were collected.”

The collection was conducted from February 25 to March 8.

The institute monitored the quality of the water in the region before, Oliveira said, and the increase in the volume of toxic metals coincides with the discharge made by Hydro in February after a period of heavy raining.

Considerable levels of arsenic, lead, manganese, zinc, mercury, silver, cadmium, chromium, nickel, cobalt, uranium, aluminum, iron, and copper.

The institute found that the self-monitoring survey conducted by the firm were flawed and insufficient.

Marcos Mota, researcher and doctor at the Evandro Chagas Institute, noted that further investigation should be carried out into the damage caused to the health of local residents and the communities affected.

“The population, having come into contact with a considerable amount of these substances, may have suffered harmful effects, like lung and brain damage,” he went on to say.

The report recommends that drinking water should be further provided to communities such as Bom Futuro and Jardim dos Cabanos—areas who take their water supplies from the Mucurupi river—until the end of the raining period.

Water should be distributed in the municipalities of Barcarena and Abaetetuba in the regions bathed by other affected rivers, the document also advises.

Surface water as well as water for human consumption should be kept under constant monitoring in the areas surrounding the mining firm, the institute argues.

Hydro said that it has not yet been given access to the report’s full content and pledged to comment after a review is made. According to the company, the outcome of an internal analysis will be disclosed in April as well as that of an independent inspection, in order to provide clarifications on the relevant facts surrounding the discharge of rainwater and surface water from the area.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira