The Municipality of Ituzaingó announced that it will initiate legal actions for collective environmental damage and affectation to the quality of life of the residents and urge criminal proceedings against those responsible for the serious event that occurred at kilometer 26 of the Autopista del Oeste, where a truck spilled its cargo and caused a toxic cloud.
This was stated by the community chief Alberto Descalzo, who said: “We are very concerned about the toxic substances that flew over the neighborhoods of Ituzaingó, affecting the health of our community. Likewise, the lack of signaling on the truck and the ignorance of the driver about the procedure in cases like the one we experienced yesterday”.
There were around 50 residents who approached different medical guards with conditions in the throat, eyes and respiratory difficulties.
“We are starting an investigation to find out the substance that was transporting, because although the consignment note stated that it was a herbicide, we are not certain that this is the case. And that truck, without signs, without care and with a dangerous load, circulated on the highway from the Port of Buenos Aires, that is, it went through many places without any care. Someone has to be responsible for this negligence,” he said.
It should be noted that the vehicle is currently in Campo de Mayo, since by indication of the Minister of Defense, Jorge Taiana, Commander Mander and the Company of Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Engineers and Emergency Support 601 of the Argentinian army.
As stated in the statement, The head of the communal Cabinet, Pablo Descalzo, received the military company that attended to provide support tasks and proceed with the detection and decontamination of the remaining chemicalsince although the papers stated that it carried CLETODIM at 94%, a non-residual systemic herbicide with a toxicity classification of 3, the corresponding expertise is still awaited to corroborate its veracity.
Although the papers stated that it carried CLETODIM at 94%, a non-residual systemic herbicide, the corresponding expertise is still awaited to corroborate its veracity
“There were around 50 neighbors who approached different medical guards with affections in the throat, in the eyes and respiratory difficulties. Among the victims are members of the Volunteer Fire Department, who have suffered injuries to their legs. The Municipality is monitoring the affected residents,” said the Mayor.
Finally, Descalzo asserted: “We have to keep in mind that we do not know if the spill could have consequences in the future and we must also preserve and think about the damage it could cause to the environment. It is essential that this does not happen again, which is why we are going to declare an environmental and health emergency.”
