The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) reported that emergency measures are being adopted to contain the load of Ethilbenzene that leaked from a truck that fell on the BR-116 highway, in the stretch that cuts the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, the About 200 meters from the Superbo River in Guapimirim, in the mountainous region of Rio. Ethylbenzene is a flammable, colorless and gasoline -smelling liquid used in the production of styrene and other chemicals. The park cuts the cities of Guapimirim, Magé, Petrópolis and Teresópolis.
The vehicle, from the transchemicical company, carried 40,000 liters of ethylbenzene, a highly dangerous and carcinogenic product, when it crossed the descent track and toppled in the park forest, knocking down trees and opening a clearing by the highway, which was closed in both felt for almost three hours. The accident happened shortly after 10am. The driver was trapped in the hardware and died on the spot despite the efforts of the Fire Department teams. Vehicle traffic on BR-116 was banned in the two-way stretch and was released by the Federal Highway Police (PRF) at 12:20.
In addition to the ICMBio, teams from the Environmental Emergency Management of the State Environment Institute (INEA), the Fire Department, the Guapimirim Environment Secretariat and the Eco-Rio-Minas concessionaire accompany the risk containment and monitoring work.
The ambipar company, responsible for emergency care, is monitoring vapors from the exploser load (gas detector). As a preventive measure, ICMBio determined the closure of the visitation to the Soberbo Rio Waterfalls. The company was asked to monitor water in the waterfalls and in the capture that supplies the municipality of Guapimirim and the soil near the site of the accident.
The overflow of the remaining load in the tanks, the removal of the vehicle, the removal of contaminated soil and the recovery of the vegetation from the area is being arranged. The company is subject to the application of a fine by pollution and causing damage to the conservation unit, which depends on the evaluation of the volume of the product spilled in the park and other damages still under evaluation.
