On June 2, 2000, a truck left the Yanacocha gold mine in northern Peru with nine 190 kg flasks of mercury. On the way to Lima, 151 kg of mercury from one flask spilled over a 41 km stretch of road that passes through the villages of San Juan, Choropampa, and Magdalena. The driver was not aware of the spill, but villagers saw mercury droplets along the road and began to collect the liquid because of its perceived economic and "medicinal" value. Over the days that followed, events occurred that led to mercury exposure in 146 people who were later hospitalized and treated for mercury intoxication.
In July, 2000 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was requested to provide technical assistance on public health issues related to this episode. In particular, CDC was requested to determine the chronology of health-related activities that followed the spill, and make recommendations for public health actions. Eyewitnesses that observed the spill and residents who gathered the mercury were interviewed, and reports and documents related to the event were obtained. The assessment team also traveled to the affected areas to observe mitigation activities and occupational health and safety practices.
The CDC assessment team made a number of recommendations with the goal of preventing spills of hazardous materials, promoting a satisfactory response to future events and reducing health risks from exposure to mercury that may remain in area. The chronology of events of the spill, the health response and our recommendations will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Community Preventive Services, Environmental Exposures
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.