Helena Joyce
La Oroya, a small city in the Peruvian Andes, has been labelled one of the world's most polluted places. The city's metallurgical complex has been operating for nearly a century, contaminating the area with toxic metals and causing serious health issues for its 30,000 inhabitants. In March 2024, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that Peru was responsible for violating the rights of its citizens to a healthy environment, demanding comprehensive reparations. Despite this ruling, progress has been slow, and La Oroya continues to face the challenge of balancing economic dependence on the smelting industry with the health and environmental risks it poses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | La Oroya, Peru |
| Population | 30,000 |
| Pollution Sources | Heavy metal mining and processing, smelting operation |
| Pollutants | Lead, arsenic, cadmium, sulfur dioxide, copper, zinc, sulfuric acid, oleum, antimony, arsenic trioxide, bismuth, indium, selenium, tellurium |
| Health Impacts | High lead levels in blood, bronchial troubles, respiratory infections, headaches, difficulty breathing, tumors, muscular problems, infertility |
| Legal Action | Lawsuit against Peruvian government, Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruling in favor of residents, ordered reparations and environmental measures |
| Current Status | Pollution still present, ongoing efforts for improvement |
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What You'll Learn
La Oroya's air, water, and soil pollution
La Oroya, a small city in Peru's central mountain range, has been facing issues with air, water, and soil pollution for decades. The city is home to around 30,000 people and has a history of coal mining and metallurgical operations.
Air Pollution
La Oroya has been identified as one of the most polluted towns in the world due to the presence of fine particles in the air. These particles, generated during metal smelting, are easily inhaled and can pass through the mucous membranes, bloodstream, and biological membranes, potentially causing harm to DNA. The main source of this pollution is the La Oroya Metallurgical Complex, which has been in operation since 1922. The complex has released high levels of contaminants, including sulfur dioxide, which has accumulated in the air and affected the respiratory and nervous systems of the villagers.
Water Pollution
In addition to air pollution, La Oroya also faces water pollution due to mining activities. The water sources in the area have been contaminated with toxic metals, posing a significant risk to the health of the residents. High levels of lead have been detected in the blood of children, indicating the severity of the water contamination issue.
Soil Pollution
The soil in La Oroya is also polluted with toxic metals, which is a direct result of the metallurgical complex's operations. The complex has released heavy metals into the environment, increasing the risk of cancer and other health issues for the residents. The Peruvian government has been ordered to clean up the toxic metals in the soil and provide specialized healthcare to address the impact of pollution on the community's health.
Despite the efforts of organizations like the Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA) and the development of health programs, the pollution in La Oroya persists. The new plant operator has been given until 2030 to meet environmental requirements, which means the residents of La Oroya will continue to face the impacts of pollution for years to come.
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The health impacts on residents
La Oroya, a small city in the Peruvian Andes, has been labelled one of the world's most polluted places. The contamination is caused by a metal smelter that has been operating there for nearly a century, with little regulation and no attention paid to human health. The health impacts on residents have been significant and wide-ranging.
The smelter has released toxic metals into the air, soil, and water, leading to high levels of pollution. As a result, residents of La Oroya have been exposed to extreme levels of lead and other harmful contaminants, including arsenic, cadmium, and sulfur dioxide. These pollutants have had detrimental effects on the health of the residents, with many suffering from respiratory issues such as bronchial troubles, and elevated levels of heavy metals in their blood. In 2013, 97% of children between six months and six years of age, and 98% between the ages of seven and twelve, were found to have high levels of lead in their blood. This is particularly concerning as lead exposure can cause severe health issues, including damage to the brain and nervous system, especially in children.
The pollution has also been linked to various other health problems in residents, including burning throats and eyes, headaches, difficulty breathing, tumours, muscular problems, and infertility. The toxic pollution has contaminated the drinking water, and the Mantaro River, which flows through the city, has been described as "a dead river" due to its high levels of pollution. The health impacts have been so severe that some residents have sought medical assistance and demanded a halt to the pollution, marching through the streets of Lima with signs reading "Doe Run, it is enough of environmental crimes".
The Peruvian government has been criticized for its failure to regulate and oversee the behaviour of the mining company, compromising its obligation to guarantee human rights. In 2024, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights found the Peruvian state responsible for the pollution and ordered it to adopt comprehensive reparation measures, including halting further harmful pollution, cleaning up the toxic metals in the soil and water, and providing specialized healthcare for the residents. However, despite this ruling, there has been little progress in implementing these measures, and the residents of La Oroya continue to suffer the health consequences of the pollution.
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The role of the Peruvian government
The Peruvian government has played a significant and complex role in the pollution crisis in La Oroya, a small city perched over 12,000 feet high in the Andes. La Oroya is home to a massive metal smelting facility that has been in operation since 1922, contaminating the area for nearly a century. The pollution has led to severe health issues for residents, including high levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium in their blood, as well as respiratory problems and other health issues.
Initially, the government failed to adequately regulate and oversee the behaviour of the mining company, Doe Run Peru, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Renco Group, Inc. In 1997, the government sold the plant to Doe Run, which inherited a partially obsolete smelter complex in disrepair. Despite the company's frequent failure to comply with environmental laws and install necessary pollution controls, the government granted them repeated extensions, allowing them to continue polluting. This inaction by the government led to a violation of the fundamental rights of the residents of La Oroya.
In 2006, residents of La Oroya, with the support of environmental and human rights organizations like AIDA and APRODEH, filed a petition against the Peruvian government at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. It took 15 years for the case to be heard by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which in 2024, found the Peruvian government guilty of violating its citizens' right to a healthy environment. The Court ordered Peru to halt further harmful pollution, clean up toxic metals in the soil and water, and provide specialized healthcare and reparations to the victims.
Despite the Court's ruling and set deadlines, there has been little progress in its implementation by the Peruvian government. The Attorney General's Office has been urged to issue a Compliance Resolution to ensure real progress. The government's inaction has led to ongoing struggles for the people of La Oroya, who face the difficult choice between toxic pollution and economic survival, as the smelting operation was the economic heartbeat of the city.
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The involvement of the Inter-American Court
La Oroya, a small city in the Peruvian Andes, has been labelled as one of the world's most polluted places. The contamination of the area has been attributed to a metal smelting facility that has been in operation for almost a century, with little regulation and no regard for human health. The residents of La Oroya have been seeking justice and reparations for over 20 years.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has played a pivotal role in addressing the pollution issue in La Oroya, Peru. In March 2024, the Court issued a landmark ruling in the case of "Community of La Oroya vs. Peru", recognising the Peruvian state's responsibility for violating the rights of its citizens under the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights. The Court found that the state had breached the right to a healthy environment, the right to life, the right to personal integrity, and the rights of children, among others.
The Court's judgment acknowledged the presence of high levels of environmental contamination in La Oroya, including lead, cadmium, arsenic, sulphur dioxide, and other metals in the air, soil, and water. It was found that the primary source of this pollution was the La Oroya Metallurgical Center, which had been operating since 1922. In its ruling, the Inter-American Court ordered the Peruvian state to take several comprehensive reparation measures. These included:
- Identifying, prosecuting, and punishing those responsible for the harm caused to the community.
- Developing an environmental remediation plan to address the contamination of air, water, and soil.
- Providing free and specialised medical care to the victims suffering from health issues related to mining and metallurgical activities.
- Ensuring the effectiveness of the city's warning system and implementing a monitoring system.
- Requiring mining companies to take responsibility and provide compensation for environmental damages, adhering to the "polluter pays" principle.
The ruling sets a significant precedent for the protection of human rights and the environment across the Americas. It sends a strong message to governments and corporations, emphasising their accountability for the well-being of their citizens and the natural environment. The Inter-American Court's involvement in the La Oroya case has paved the way for environmental justice and the recognition of the fundamental right to a healthy living environment.
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The future of the smelting operation
The smelting operation in La Oroya has been the primary source of pollution in the city, which was labelled one of the world's most polluted places in 2007. The smelter has been operating for almost a century with little regulation and no attention to human health.
On the other hand, some residents of La Oroya have expressed a desire for the smelter to remain open, as it is a major source of economic activity in the city. One local, Rosa Vilchez, was quoted as saying, "I want it to reopen because, without the company, La Oroya lost its entire economy." Additionally, the smelter is one of the few in the world capable of producing gold, silver, antimony, arsenic trioxide, bismuth, cadmium, indium, selenium, tellurium, sulfuric acid, and oleum. The technology used in the operation has helped reduce the emission of some noxious and toxic metals.
To reconcile these competing interests, some have suggested that the smelter should be allowed to reopen with an environmental plan in place. This could involve implementing the PAMA (Programa de Adecuación y Manejo Ambiental or Environmental Remediation and Management Program), which is an environmental contract requiring environmental remediation measures. Additionally, the smelter's owners, Doe Run Peru, have been working to reduce stack and fugitive emissions to meet air quality objectives and protect public health, including reducing lead levels in the blood and implementing special health programs for children and expectant mothers.
However, there have been setbacks and delays in implementing these measures. Doe Run Peru has asked for bailouts and extensions to comply with PAMA requirements, and the expected improvements in air and water quality have not been attained. Furthermore, there are concerns about the smelter's impact on the Mantaro River, which a local described as "a dead river" due to pollution.
In conclusion, the future of the smelting operation in La Oroya is complex. While there are economic incentives to keep the smelter open, significant changes are needed to protect the health and well-being of the residents and the environment. The Peruvian government and the smelter's owners, Doe Run Peru, are facing pressure to implement environmental and health protections while also ensuring the continued operation of the smelter in a way that supports the local economy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, La Oroya is still polluted. The city was labelled one of the world's most polluted places in 2007 by the Blacksmith Institute. The city's pollution is caused by a metal smelting facility that has been operating for almost a century.
The primary source of pollution in La Oroya is the La Oroya Metallurgical Complex (CMLO), a metal smelting facility that has been in operation since 1922. The smelter releases toxic metals into the air, soil, and water, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and sulfur dioxide.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled in March 2024 that the Peruvian government violated the human right to a healthy environment and ordered the country to adopt comprehensive reparation measures. The court ordered Peru to halt further harmful pollution, clean up toxic metals in the soil and water, and provide specialized healthcare for the victims and inhabitants of La Oroya.
