A Clean Up Order in Monterrey:

Mexican environmental regulators' attention has been caught by the staggering amount of "hazardous characteristics" discovered in the yard of a plant recycling toxic waste from the United States. Authorities are making strides towards proper storage of the improperly stored materials in urgent measures.

Investigative Journalism Spurring Action:

The drive behind this clean-up operation? The in-depth investigative coverage from The Guardian and Quinto Elemento Lab. Their curiosity was piqued by possibly contaminated areas surrounding the plant, tucked away in the Monterrey metro area. Google Earth imagery analysis might just give us the scoop showing potentially hazardous industrial powders tucked away in white sacks.

Unearthing the Dirt:

As a result of their reporting, the Mexican federal agency accountable for environmental inspection and enforcement, Profepa, commenced investigations at the Zinc Nacional plant. Illegal equipment without authorization was promptly shut down. The questionable powders? Zinc oxide. But they are more than that. They posed a potential risk to children and even lead to conditions such as cancer.

Keeping a Close Eye

Even after this discovery, Profepa isn’t done. There’s further action in motion, including a potential revisit for sampling for fair access to environmental justice. The company under the microscope, Zinc Nacional, pledges full cooperation and is making swift changes to address any potential issue.

The Toxic Blowback of Recycling:

Zinc Nacional imports steel dust from the US which contains high levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic, a highly hazardous waste from steel recycling. The implications of this waste and the potential risks to locals has experts such as Bruce Lanphear, a professor at Simon Fraser University, stressing the need for independent testing.

The Aftermath:

Following this ordeal, two federal legislators called on Mexico’s Congress to apply more pressure for a deeper investigation of Zinc Nacional. This news has raised questions about the international waste disposal practices, sparking fierce debate among many.

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