Mexican Authorities Order Urgent Cleanup of Hazardous Waste Near Monterrey

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Following an investigation by The Guardian and Quinto Elemento Lab, Mexican environmental regulators have discovered approximately 30,000 tons of improperly stored toxic waste at the Zinc Nacional plant in the Monterrey area. The findings sparked an urgent response from authorities, who ordered immediate measures to ensure proper storage of the hazardous materials, which have been linked to contamination concerns in nearby communities.

According to Mariana Boy, head of the environmental inspection agency Profepa, the materials were found exposed to the elements and leaking in some cases, raising alarms about environmental and public health risks. The agency has granted Zinc Nacional 15 days to transfer the hazardous waste into compliance with safety regulations. Subsequent testing by toxicologist Martín Soto Jiménez indicated high levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic within 2 kilometers of the facility, including in local schools and homes.

Zinc Nacional claims it is cooperating with authorities and plans to address the identified issues. However, independent experts emphasize the need for comprehensive testing to evaluate potential health risks posed by the site.

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