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Peru Smelter Loses Environmental Certification

One of the largest metal smelters in the hemisphere lost its environmental certification in a highly unusual move taken by the company's third-party auditors.

The March 11 decision revokes certification granted two years ago to Doe Run Peru, an affiliate of the New York City-based RencoGroup, a private holding company owned primarily by U.S. billionaire Ira Rennert.

TUV Rheinland cited non-compliance with Peruvian environmental laws and the lack of adequate pollution controls as its rationale for revoking certification, according to OK International, Earthjustice and AIDA, non-profit groups that work to protect public health from industrial pollutants and to provide legal aid in environmental cases, often dealing with the extraction of natural resources.

A number of studies conducted by the government, as well as international health experts, have shown that almost all of the children living in the area surrounding Doe Run's smelter have high levels of lead in their bodies.

Many are severely exposed and require immediate medical treatment, according to a press release issued by OK International, Earthjustice and AIDA last week.

The decertification hit just as Doe Run Peru's employees began to strike.

More than one thousand workers from Doe Run Peru marched through the streets of Lima today. According to local NGO's they are asking for greater profit-sharing and increased corporate financial transparency.

A coalition of Peruvian religious leaders and grass roots activists are pushing the company to protect La Oroya's residents and its environment for moral and ethical reasons. It also seeks greater financial openness since profits may be used to complete the necessary environmental improvements.

"The care for life and the environment is of unavoidable urgency for every person and community. Humanity has been entrusted with the environment, which is an inheritance given by God as a common home that we should care for and protect," said Monsignor Pedro Barreto, Archbishop of Huancayo and president of the Regional Roundtable of Junin, which is pressing the company to comply with environmental standards

The Peruvian government granted the company an additional three-and-one-half-year extension to fulfill the obligations of its ten year-old environmental operations agreement.

Barreto was part of a high-ranking Peruvian religious delegation that traveled to the United States last June to urge Rennert to install pollution controls on moral and ethical grounds. The Renco Group and former plant operators, Doe Run, St. Louis, refused to meet with the delegation, referring them to Doe Run Peru.

Rennert is chairman of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue in New York City, a modern Orthodox congregation.

"Revoking the certification should send a strong message to Doe Run that they have much more work to do," said Anna Cederstav, staff scientist with AIDA and Earthjustice and author of the book, La Oroya Cannot Wait. "Nevertheless, we are still concerned that, if paid enough, another certifying body will agree to provide Doe Run with a similar certification."

When Doe Run Peru obtained environmental certification in 2006 by TUV Rheinland, it called the document an "internationally recognized symbol of a company's dedication to superior quality, customer satisfaction and continuous improvement" on its website.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States has requested that the Peruvian government implement urgent measures to halt violations against the health of the citizens of La Oroya.

Elias Szczytnicki, regional director of Religions for Peace in Lima, said the religious community's efforts to bring the company into environmental compliance is not aimed at hurting profits, but of improving operations. "This is not good news," he said of the decertification. "This is bad news for us. Our interest is not to hurt the business. This news demonstrates that the health of the people continues running a great risk.

"The ideal news would be that the company receives several environmental certificates so that the people could live healthy lives."

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# 3rd Deadliest Air is LIMA says :
18 April, 2008 [ 15:43 ]

Are you freaking kidding me?  Its 300 Miles away!!!  Where are those agencies in Lima?  Id like one of them to stick an air test anywhere in Lima....  Finding that Lima is the the third Deadliest in Air Pollution in the WORLD.   Why,?? NO Vehicle emmissions...............  They tried to enforce vehicle emission but it wont stick....  WHY?????  BECAUSE its a Mafia who controls the car imports, they disconect the Catyliconverter (<--spellling?) and melt the High grade of minerals out of it, then turning this melted metal into Jewlry that you buy in Larcomar.....

So next time you buy a platnium bracelt, just think of a prettly little yellow Tiko Taxi that you braclet was made from....

This is why the air is so freaking dirtly in this city.....  Not from the IRON plant 300 miles away from the city of Lima!!!!!

# Michael says :
18 April, 2008 [ 16:01 ]

I know someone to ask, but I'm pretty sure the winds don't go from La Oroya to Lima anyway.....

# Anonymous Dave says :
18 April, 2008 [ 16:54 ]

The smelter in La Oroya has nothing to do with the city of Lima. The first poster may find this quite a shock (sit down), but the department of Lima and the nation of Peru extend beyond the city limits of Lima.

In the small town of La Oroya, the air smells strange and breathing gives you a headache. Locals have long complained of various illness, and even with corpses building up on the door of Doe Run, the company denied any problems existed.

This news is excellent as it means the health of the weak and the poor has been put ahead of money in terms of importance.

# Michael says :
18 April, 2008 [ 17:16 ]

This is true - if referring to the province, I could see where some pollution extends into it.

I've visited La Oroya a few times, and even ate dinner there one night.  It is a *very* polluted place.

I don't know how much Doe Run denies the pollution issue; my past readings of articles and discussions on this site (including some from people at Doe Run who posted here) seemed to indicate that they don't deny there is an issue, it's just that they are trying to correct an issue that has existed in even worse forms for decades before they took over.

How fast does anyone expect them to correct, and invest the money in, problems that have been around for that amount of time?  I'm sure there are many answers to that, and I can only hope that they will continue to invest in correcting the problems as fast as they can.

# Anonymous Joe says :
18 April, 2008 [ 18:44 ]

Micheal, imagine someone was punching you in the face for the enjoyment of others, while these others paid this someone for the opportunity to see you get punched.
Now imagine this someone said to you, "yes, there seems to be a minor problem with this, I don't think it is as bad as you are making out, but I you see, I am paying tax on my earnings and that makes it OK. Don't worry too much, and please stop protesting, I really am going to try and change my procedures so when I punch you in the face it will hurt a little less."

Now, imagine instead of punching you in the face, he was killing your family, and instead of earning a few soles he was earning hundreds of millions and operating out of NYC.

Is this right?

# CapitanDan says :
18 April, 2008 [ 18:46 ]

Everyone here has a good point. The air in Lima is bad, but the cause is different. Lima it's the location and the extensive use of polluting vehicles. In La Oroya it's the plant. The only difference between the two is the air in La Oroya will kill you much faster with the lead and arsenic. In Lima we will die a much slower death. Dave, I hope you are right about justice for the poor. I think really that some people did not get their palms greased enough, because that's the way it is in Peru.

# Michael says :
18 April, 2008 [ 19:51 ]

Joe;

I understand what you are trying to say, and it is a frustrating situation.  Keep in mind, though, that there simply isn't any easy and fast way of cleaning up La Oroya.

If there was, I am sure everyone that could would be raising hell about doing it.  But no one has any solution that is not going to take lots of time, lots of money, and lots of effort.

La Oroya is not just a minor environmental disaster.  It has been named one of the ten most polluted places on Earth!

I know the poor in Peru often have few, if any, choices.  Here is what it comes down to someone working and living there, though: 1) Work in La Oroya and (I am guessing) earn enough money to raise a family in relative financial security, but the family's health is severly affected.  2) Go somewhere else in Peru and struggle to survive, with the family not so secure financially, but relatively healthy.

Neither option is good, but this just may be the present reality of the situation.  Neither option is guaranteed either.

I can't say that I am any sort of authority on the political/social/health situation in La Oroya, but if people in other parts of Peru were really concerned, they would pressure the government into lending more assistance or putting more pressure on Doe Run to accelerate the cleanup of things (past, present and future).  The fact of the matter is, though, that most people tend to worry more about what is affecting them now and raising hell about that (i.e. the rising price of food and necessities at the moment).

That probably a bit too strong a way of putting it - I am sure most anyone cares, or would care, if they knew how it really was there. However; when you are struggling or working to survive day-to-day, what is happening in a small town somewhere, even in your own province or department, is probably not going to be on your "to do" list unless it is affecting your immediate struggle or effort to live.

# GLOBAL WARMING Started in LIMA says :
18 April, 2008 [ 19:56 ]

THE First GUY Posted, Hit It On The D- HEAD!  The Air Quality is not 3rd but I just read 2ND Worst In the world for Air Quality.   That has alot to say! 

Oh, and the little town 300 miles away from Lima, Well I have been there also, population= 8,000.   Lima Population= 11 Million  MY POINT is, Its a heck of a lot easier to clean up and quickly the Polution Problem in the little village, BUT if your telling me people are starving of health and its know to the Factory, then Move Your Ass outta there...  I know, sounds harsh, but being peruvian, and knowing the government and how twisted and turn key the rich and wealthy are, and I already know this will be 3 years in the making to change what presently is.......  Lets find a way to ENFORCE the fucking car and bus pollution....  The cars and busses hickup and fart blak smog all day, multiply this times 14 million cars and busses,  this gives you the biggest natural dissaster on this earth,

And all gore is worried about global warming...  Start by cleaning up the air in Lima!!! (INNER CITY- NOT 300 miles away LIMA)!!

# Cough...cough says :
18 April, 2008 [ 20:11 ]

As bad as the air is here in Lima, it is NOT listed in the 20 most polluted cities in the world - but La Oroya is. I checked five or six different lists and La Oroya is listed on every single one of them.

http://www.blacksmithinstitute.org/top10/worst35d.html

http://www.citymayors.com/environment/world_pollution.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15320729/

The air in La Oroya, parts of China, Russia and the Ukraine are much, much worse than anything we inhale here in Lima.

# Michael says :
18 April, 2008 [ 20:43 ]

The population of La Oroya is about 30 - 35,000.

# BlackLung says :
18 April, 2008 [ 23:23 ]

Explain why in 29 months that I lived in lima, I have developed lung cancer, (thank God I am treated).  I do not drink, do not smoke, and very seldem am i near a smoker or smoke filled room.  I just lived in Lima for 2 1/2 years- Prior to this, I was born and raised on the hills or Virginia.

Before Lima, I could walk and run without a fight for air.  I noticed the effect when walking up one flight of steps, my heart rate would increase rapidly and had to catch my breath.

Im 34, 167 lbs, 5' 8" and frequently exercise. Doctors cant believe that such a short time in Lima would make my lungs look like i smoked for 14 years.

# TO...Cough...cough says :
18 April, 2008 [ 23:35 ]

Ok, not top 20 list, outta how many millions of cities world wide. LOL  Think his post was a typo,  Probably it was in the top 2% of most deadliest air polluted cities in the world.

Kinda like when the education rankings for the world came out just a few months ago,    QUOTE>>  "out of 54 countries tested in education, Peru ranked 52" >>>  Meaning, Peru has some really really stupid people....  NOT!!!  Anyway, 195 countries in total, yet peru comes in at 52 out of 54.  141 countries not even tested.  so looks like Peru is really Not Last Place anymore huh??

Education, Air Quality?? On the other hand, the WEF report recognized Peru for its low inflation rate, ranking it 16th and its interest in and protection of private investments, ranked at 15.


Plant some trees and put a smog filter on those towers!  All can be done in 1 month, Politics and deep pockets wont touch this for a few years.

When is the train going to be in Lima? You know, the one they started 5 years ago!!

# Michael says :
18 April, 2008 [ 23:36 ]

What's to explain?  You know why.  I am actually shocked that the general cancer rates in Lima aren't higher than they are!

When I returned from my first trip to Peru, I immediately looked up the cancer rates, expecting to find a high incidence of lung cancer and such.  What I found was a very recent increase, but not really one of lung cancer!  I was pretty surprised.

I can only guess that there is probably a fair amount of under-diagnosis and mis-diagnosis.

# CrazyReports says :
18 April, 2008 [ 23:51 ]

Here is why!  Are are lies.  You actually think your reading accurate reports on cancer rates?  Comon.  Id like to see the study and know the source of that report. Must have been some native. dont get me wrong, I love PERU, but these people arent the sharpest tool in the shed/

Believe me, Get a General Contractor down here, or get several: Education, Health, Air Quality-  Were all in for huge surprises.

Wanna invest in Peru, Invest in one of these three.  The economic reports are showing hige record highs, in many sectors, where do you see the results?  ON PAPER!  

The government of Peru is in for some HUGE surprises.  From the President (now re elect after stealing millions), to the local police who steal Gas from the cars, and the Taxis the rob tourists in transit to the hotel from the airport,:  this country is supported on a backbone of lies and illusions:  Kiinda like Chris Angel- STREET MAGIC-

Anyway, blah blah blah-  I love Peru and the People, the problem is, so many people, and now, the generation we have now, 18yrs old to 28yrs old, their all looking for a way to leave Peru.  This is big time problems for the years to come.

At the present moment, a 40 yr old woman can hardly find a job.  You have to be young and sexy to get a good job here.  This is a country where I can advertise in the newspaper a job listing that sais : "I AM HIRING A 18YR OLD TO 26YR OLD, BLOND HAIR BLUE EYES, THIN WITH A NICE BUST"

A COUNTRY WHERE THE LEGAL AGE FOR SEX IS 14!  COMEON!!!!!  14 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



 

# CapitanDan says :
19 April, 2008 [ 00:38 ]

Michael the reason the cancer rates are not higher in Lima, is because it has such a large transient population. People from the provinces come to Lima like it is the Holy land expecting to be saved from poverty. What they find is a hard way of life for the unskilled and eventually return to their home.If  I had a Sol for every person that asked me to smuggle them into the U.S. or Canada I would be in the fortune 500 . By the way I will be leaving for Canada soon and I need a few crewman Any one interested , Canada has very liberal imigration policies, not like the U.S.. Cast off the lines Mate.

# Ding says :
19 April, 2008 [ 03:04 ]

I do not understand what Lima has to do with la Oroya. Somebody is interested in taking the attention away from Doe Run the North American Company operating in la Oroya. For CapitanDan, Sudbury is located in Canada and is considered the most polluted city on earth, Sudbury is a unit of measurement of contamination, meaning the Oroya is about 10% per Sudbury.

General Ding

# Paul Seville says :
20 April, 2008 [ 05:22 ]

@ To Cough Cough: it was actually #131 in elementary school education and #130 in math and science, out of 131 countries. In another report it was 2nd-last out of 52 or 53 countries but those were countries that were enrolled in some program or study or other, so not more could be polled in that case. Hey, when only 150 teachers out of 180,000 pass a basic qualification test, we can safely assume that the rankings are pretty accurate.

@ Ding: Sudbury the most polluted? While it may have been one of the most polluted cities in *Canada* or perhaps in *N.America* a few decades ago (not worldwide), it's now not even a blip on the pollution radar compared to Lima and other cities around the world. I may be wrong but I think Hamilton, Ontario is now the most polluted Canadian city, but even so Hamilton is still a far cry from Lima.

# Ak says :
20 April, 2008 [ 14:15 ]

45 yrs old, overweight, eat greayfood, lived in Peru for 10 years, dont exercise smoke a pack a day and drink often. Healthy as an Ox and Cancer free...

# writer42 says :
20 April, 2008 [ 14:19 ]

at age 50, your dead with a new and unknown cause.  Hey, it happens!  Take care and may God Bless.

# AK says :
20 April, 2008 [ 15:05 ]

Funny, actully I lied about most of it. Im 37, dont drink or smoke, but I am healty and have lived here for 10 years. The concerns here are very real and much more action needs to taken and I certinly dont want to make light of the seriousness of situation. I was referring more to the man who lived in Lima for 2 years and got lung cancer. Im very suspicious of such comments. I can find any statistic to back up anything I want to prove. Di d he get cancer living in Lima? Or maybe he inhaled a microscopic asbestos fibre when he was 2? Is the rise in asthma due to air pollution, or is it an overactive immune system due to the overuse of antibiotics to blame. For any stat you throw at me, I can find a stat to counter it. By the way, I was really refering to my father at age 77, he mirrors everything I said earlier except that he smokes 4 packs a day, not one...

# Holy77 says :
20 April, 2008 [ 16:33 ]

 Very Cool~ Statistics are an "Appraisal" on something~ an APPRAISAL is an OPINION based on information gathered.  Truly, what is the diagnosis= Some Opinion Based on Previous Findings.  The Meaning is:  NOTHING- other than unusualness in heresay.

I have also know of people 60 years old, smoking like a train, then once day decides to quite, then what, 6 months later died of cancer or someother DIAGNOSIS- But Not understand that this person was very healthy while they were smoking.

# jb says :
21 April, 2008 [ 11:42 ]

Doe Run Peru should shut down La Oroya, lay off the 3000 employees, lock the doors and return this stinking, polluted mess to the same people from whom they bought it.....Centromin (the government of PERU).  Peruvian government owned Centromin and created this mess beginning in the 1920's.  Centromin ran the mine for 60 years with no environmental concern or controls.  Doe Run agreed to clean it up.  From what I have heard, one of the other bidders on this mining operation actually walked away (forfeited) from a several million dollar bid bond.  Apparently, they realized the clean-up terms were not possible.  Doe Run was the second bidder in the line-up.  I seriously doubt that anyone can clean this place up enough to be liveable. 

# Ding says :
21 April, 2008 [ 16:05 ]

All these mess was built by an American Company at the beginning of the last century that owned La Oroya for 50 years. I agree all this mess should be returned to be cleaned to the culprit of the problem the American Company owned by the Hearts family.

# jb says :
21 April, 2008 [ 16:26 ]

Ding, you are correct.  The original culprit in this mess (Cerro de Pasco Corporation) had their mining operations expropriated in 1974 by the Velasco government.  The government (Centromin) continued operating the mine for the next 23 years with no environmental concerns until Doe Run bought the operations in 1997.  Doe Run has made barely passing efforts to meet their contractual obligations.  As I said before, I really don't believe the clean-up is possible.  I am told on good authority that the smelter in operation (which was built in the 1920's) cannot be disassembled and removed because the environmental hazards of doing so exceed leaving it stand (and in operation). 
The only solution is one that includes closing the operations and relocating all the residents and leave the area like it has radioactive contamination -- no one is allowed to return.  But what would likely happen is there would be an invasion and people would build a house on top of the mountain of taconite tailings.

# 3rd Deadliest Air is LIMA says :
22 April, 2008 [ 13:19 ]

I hope anyone that had a say in this news article did infact read todays headlines for LIMA!

to Cough...cough I told you so.  Take a look! http://www.livinginperu.com/news-6229-environmentnature-peru-lima-among-most-polluted-cities-world

Over the weekend, there were several remarks made by a person called HECTOR- I'm glad to see that LivingInPeru deleted all of his craziness from this website.

# Cough....cough says :
22 April, 2008 [ 19:19 ]

STILL, nowhere does it say that Lima's air is the 3rd deadliest in the world. I never said the air here was clean, only that it's NOT the dirtiest in the world.  It's not even in the worst 30.

Also, the World Bank 2007 Quality of Life Report (upon which your article is based) does not include ANY city in China, which according research by the Blacksmith Institute has many of the most polluted cities in the world.

The air quality here in Lima is nothing to be proud of, respiratory problems are abundant, but you should check your facts before making statements. We don't disagree about the air here in Lima but everyone should recognize that the problem in La Oroya is much, much worse.