Street view of Metal Huasi and surrounding homes in Abra Pampa, Argentina (March 2008). Photo courtesy of Ariel Dulitzky.
Street view of Metal Huasi and surrounding homes in Abra Pampa, Argentina (March 2008). Photo courtesy of Ariel Dulitzky.

2008-2009

Abra Pampa: a Community Polluted, a Community Ignored: The Struggle for Environmental and Health Rights in Argentina

Residents of Abra Pampa, Argentina, a poor and largely indigenous mining community near the Bolivian border, suffer dire mining-related health and environmental consequences. This report documents the Argentine government’s repeated failures in dealing with the environmental and health crises in Abra Pampa. Metal Huasi, a lead smelting plant that operated in Abra Pampa for roughly 30 years, emitted pollutants that have resulted in environmental degradation and health problems, including lead poisoning in over 80% of the town’s children. The report also shows how Metal Huasi left behind massive heaps of toxic waste that perpetuate the health and environmental problems that began while the plant was in operation.

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Project & Publications Type: Reports