Shutdown at Mexico toxic waste plant after Guardian investigation revealed pollution in nearby homes | Mexico
Temporary Shutdown of Mexican Zinc Plant Sparks Outcry Over Toxic Pollution
A zinc processing plant in Monterrey, Mexico, has been temporarily shut down after federal and state environmental agencies identified significant issues with its emissions control systems. The closure follows a recent investigation that revealed alarming levels of toxic heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and arsenic, in the surrounding community.
The federal environmental agency, Profepa, announced the shutdown on Saturday, stating that the plant lacked proper authorization for 15 pieces of equipment designed to control atmospheric emissions. The agency’s inspection, which is expected to last several days, was prompted by findings from a journalistic investigation that traced the origins of toxic waste processed at the facility.
The investigation uncovered that U.S. steel companies ship contaminated dust—a byproduct of recycling scrap metal—to the Zinc Nacional plant, where it is processed to reclaim zinc. Soil and dust samples collected from homes and schools near the plant revealed dangerously high levels of heavy metals. In one elementary school, lead dust on window sills measured 1,760 times the U.S. action level for safety.
Martín Soto Jiménez, a toxicology researcher at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), conducted the sampling in the densely populated Monterrey metropolitan area. His findings have sparked widespread concern among residents and local officials.
Earlier in the week, the environmental agency of Nuevo León state visited the plant and identified “deficiencies in the emission control systems.” The agency ordered the shutdown of two furnaces as a precautionary measure after discovering plant-related dust in nearby soil.
Zinc Nacional has denied any wrongdoing, asserting in a press release that it complies with all applicable regulations and international standards. The company stated it would make necessary adjustments if areas for improvement were identified, emphasizing its commitment to the safety of employees and neighboring communities. However, it has not responded to specific questions about the shutdown or the investigation’s findings.
The revelations have dominated local and national headlines, with a major regional newspaper running front-page stories for four consecutive days. Residents of San Nicolás de los Garza, the municipality where the plant is located, are organizing a signature drive to formally protest the pollution.
“The objective is simply to stop the pollution because the lungs and health of San Nicolás residents and those in surrounding areas are not for sale,” said Roberto Chavarría, a local resident helping to organize the effort. A peaceful protest is planned for later this week.
Parents of children attending a school near the plant expressed frustration after a company-organized tour failed to provide concrete data or transparency. “No one showed us any data; they just limited themselves to telling us, ‘It’s not true, everything is fine,’” said Susana de la Torre Zavala, a mother of two. “We need certainty, transparency—we need extra studies.”
The director of regional nursery schools, including one where Soto Jiménez found high arsenic levels, has called for a government health investigation. Meanwhile, residents remain resolute in their demand for accountability.
“We are not the garbage dump of the United States or anyone else,” Chavarría said, echoing the growing sentiment among locals. As the inspection continues, the community awaits answers—and action—to address the environmental and health risks posed by the plant’s operations.