environment
Mexico moves to combat pollution following Guardian investigations
After stories revealed high levels of contamination in neighborhood around factory processing US toxic waste, government announces sweeping array of tactics
TL;DR
- The Mexican government is implementing a broad strategy to combat industrial pollution, including fines and new monitoring systems.
- Investigations revealed high levels of heavy-metal contamination in areas surrounding industrial plants in the Monterrey region.
- Zinc Nacional faces a $4.8 million fine and must undertake 24 corrective measures, including relocating operations and remediating contaminated land.
- A new atmospheric monitoring network for industry is being established, described as the first of its kind in Latin America.
- Mexico's environmental regulator is updating air and soil contamination standards, some of which have not been revised for decades.
- Legislation is being drafted to limit the import of toxic waste and require monitoring of heavy metal emissions.
- Citizen groups are taking action, including a referendum for international air standards and a lawsuit demanding a federal investigation into industrial air emissions.