The brick oven pollution problem in SMA--a good summary

[carol]

Gerry Bledsoe wrote these comments in response to questions about what the pollution problem is in San Miguel with the brick-making ovens. Thanks, Gerry.

Carol Schmidt

1. How big is the factory? We are actually dealing with six or seven brick kiln or ovens located in the southeastern part of San Miguel de Allende in a neighborhood call Nuevo Pantoja. Each oven is normally operated by one family. The city estimates that about one hundred people (men, women, and children) are involved.

2. What quantity of toxic materials are burned? We do not know exactly how much toxic material is burned by each oven. The burning takes place at night and we have no way to monitor how much toxic waste is being used. We do know that the city's garbage men were actually selling plastic bottles, old tires, and other waste to the brick makers, and we have photos of piles of the garbage that included plastic bottles and old computer parts. Supposedly, the previous mayor ordered the sanitation department to no longer sell waste to the brick makers, but we are not sure if this order has been followed.

3. How big is the pollution problem? Illegal brick-making in Mexico and most of Latin America is a huge pollution problem. Many towns and cities in this part of Mexico are struggling with the problem, and some of them have moved the illegal ovens away from population areas. This topic was the focus of a conference in the state capital, Guanajuato, two months ago.

The city government San Miguel de Allende has developed a new site (the "Parque Industrial") outside of town for making bricks using highly efficient ovens; however, there is no water or electrical service at the site. The other major problem is: there is no good, clean fuel source for the ovens in this entire area, except for LP gas, and the new ovens are not equipped at this point to burn gas.

4. How many people does the pollution problem impact? The illegal burning of toxic waste is an immediate threat to the nearly 10,000 people living on the south side of San Miguel, especially those living in neighborhoods adjacent to Nuevo Pantoja. Depending on the direction of the wind and atmospheric conditions, the number of people can double or triple in one evening. The polluted air is especially harmful to school children in the area and one home for senior citizens. Furthermore, it is extremely hazardous to the children of the brick-makers.

5. Have there been cases of people dying because of the pollution problem? At this time, Aire Limpio is unaware of any deaths directly attributable to the illegal burning of toxic waste by the brick-makers. However, there have been documented cases of individuals being becoming violently ill as a result of the burning, and cases of people leaving the city because of this problem.


Background information:

Many American and Canadian expat retirees and tourists were attracted to San Miguel de Allende because of the high elevation (6200 feet), benign climatic conditions (no extreme temperatures), and pristine environment (no industrial pollution). The city is also home to many Mexican citizens ironically seeking to escape the pollution of Mexico City or other industrialized areas.

However, several years ago, brick-makers and their families moved into an area south of the city known as Nuevo Pantoja, and their ovens began polluting this part of town, which was one of the fastest growing suburbs of the city. Initial efforts by citizen groups, working through the city government, to stop the burning were unsuccessful. Aire Limpio is, in effect, the continuation of an effort that started several years ago. Currently over two hundred local citizens support the efforts of Aire Limpio to stop the illegal burning and to move brick production to the Parque Industrial.

In addition to this area, there is an older area of illegal brick making further south of San Miguel that occasionally causes pollution problems for inhabitants of the southern-most suburbs of the city. This production should be relocated to the Parque Industrial as well.

The officers of Aire Limpio have met several times with officials in the prior and current city administration. The pattern has been the same: at first the meetings seem friendly and constructive, but as time passes, subsequent meetings are less constructive, as the city officials refuse to take any serious action to stop the illegal burning. Most recently, the future of the Parque Industrial has been called into question by a lack of fuel.

Officers of Aire Limpio have also unsuccessfully petitioned the state and Federal governments for assistance, evening reporting the problem to UNESCO.

There is little doubt that this pollution problem is hurting the real estate and tourist business in San Miguel. Many retirees simply cannot tolerate the opening burning of waste, especially tires and plastic. They are leaving or staying away. Some have pledged never to return as long as the problem continues. And clearly, this type of pollution will increase demands on the Mexican medical system in this area.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call.

Gerie Bledsoe, Aire Limpio Volunteer
Mexican phone: 415-185-8470
U.S. Vonage phone: 1-650-525-9190

[wmhwilson]

"What quantity of toxic materials are burned? We do not know exactly how much toxic material is burned by each oven. The burning takes place at night and we have no way to monitor how much toxic waste is being used. We do know that the city's garbage men were actually selling plastic bottles, old tires, and other waste to the brick makers, and we have photos of piles of the garbage that included plastic bottles and old computer parts. Supposedly, the previous mayor ordered the sanitation department to no longer sell waste to the brick makers, but we are not sure if this order has been followed."
Appreciate your effort and of Hans and others. I have seen the materials and photographer them more than a year ago. Tires and computer parts and you name it.
I have recently seen a new tactic. Children --some with wheelbarrows and others with large feed bag (the kind that dirt comes in) --coming down the street in LaLejona. Women and children appear to be scavenging plastic and other things that can be burned on the streets on LaLejona.
The fumes appear to have abated and I have not noticed any burns for a long time.