toxic waste
Toxic Work in Peru
Countries: Peru, United States
La Oroya, Peru, is one of the ten most polluted places in the world, according to the Blacksmith Institute, a New York-based global health agency.
The pollution is caused by a smelter owned by Doe Run Peru, which melts and purifies metals from the mountains surrounding La Oroya. The process is highly toxic: It's estimated that the smelting process emits 890 tons of sulfur dioxide every day.
Today, the area is plagued by acid rain and pollution, among other health and environmental problems. A recent article by the New York Times cited a 2005 study by Saint Louis University that estimated that 97 percent of children under six in La Oroya have lead poisoning, which can cause seizures, anemia as well as problems with the brain and kidneys.
Financially, however, the community needs Doe Run Peru since the majority of residents rely in some way on the smelting plant to earn a living, says the New York Times. About 3,000 people work in the actual plant, and other thousands make a living from selling food to workers and cleaning uniforms.
Community members say they want environmental conditions to improve, but cannot afford to see the jobs go elsewhere. They share their opinions in this video from the U.S. environmental law firm Earthjustice.
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