Residents of Brumadinho begin to show symptoms of contamination.

From Brasil de Fato People who came into contact with the mud that invaded the city of Brumadinho (MG) after the collapse of the Vale mining company's dam on the afternoon of January 25 are beginning to show symptoms of poisoning. The tragedy, which has already left at least 110 dead and 238 missing, spread approximately 12 million cubic meters of mud containing tailings throughout the city.

Valéria Brumas' husband, a farmer in the Pastorinhas Settlement, came into contact with the mud on the day the dam broke, while volunteering to help rescue victims and missing persons. On Monday (28), he woke up with rashes all over his body and sought treatment at the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) in the municipality.

The blood test indicated that the levels of platelets and leukocytes in his blood were low. Two days later, on Wednesday (30), he returned for treatment and these levels were even lower, says Valéria.

Toxicity

The Minas Gerais State Health Department (SES-MG) reported that, to date, it has received notification of four cases of diarrheal disease in the region. According to the department, the cases have not progressed to more severe forms of the illness.

The Minas Gerais State Health Department (SES-MG) commissioned another study to assess the toxicity and analyze the possible health consequences for the population caused by contact with the tailings. A laboratory analysis of the material is also reportedly being carried out by the mining company Vale.

The Secretariat advises the city's population to avoid contact with the tailings mud and the affected parts of the Paraopeba River. This advice is valid from the confluence of the Paraopeba with the Ferro-Carvão stream to Pará de Minas, the department points out.

The firefighters working in the area received a dose of antibiotics as a preventative measure against leptospirosis. This is standard procedure in these types of rescues.

Symptoms of contamination

Another recommendation is that anyone who has had contact with the water from the Paraopeba River – after the arrival of the tailings mud – or ingested food that has also had this contact, and experiences nausea, vomiting, itching, diarrhea, dizziness, or other symptoms, should seek the nearest health unit.

On the day of the dam collapse, the Basic Health Unit (UBS) Casa Branca, a city neighboring Brumadinho, received approximately 80 people with high blood pressure due to anxiety, nervousness, and other symptoms.

Nurse Daniela Diniz says that some volunteers have also shown signs of contamination. "We received many people here. There were people who lived here, who went to help and provide assistance in Córrego do Feijão, people who were in the risk area. Those who had contact with the mud had diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. For these people, we provided care here, and for more serious cases, such as acute abdominal pain, we referred them to the UPA (Emergency Care Unit) in Brumadinho, which has greater support and can perform tests," she reports.

Nurse Daniela Diniz works at the Casa Branca Primary Health Care Unit. | Photo: Lu Sudré / Brasil de Fato

She believes that health problems tend to increase, in addition to cases of poisoning, with the need for psychological support as well: "We're going to need a lot of help to get through this."

Her aunt, Lenilda Martins Cardoso, 39, a nutritionist and coordinator at the Vale restaurant, is missing: "We are very outraged because it's something that could have been avoided. We lost so many people. I've lived here for 30 years. I know a lot of people, and everyone knows everyone. So, in some way, directly or indirectly, all the families in Brumadinho were affected."

Future risks

In addition to immediate symptoms, the toxic mud can cause future health problems for those who have come into contact with the mud and for the surrounding communities.

Mining tailings contain iron oxide, ammonia, silica, silt, and clay. Older dams may contain toxic elements such as arsenic.

Water is another source of concern among residents and healthcare workers. "So, for example, one of the things that worries us and that the population is very anxious about is water consumption. While we initially advised people to drink bottled water, and bottled water even arrived there, we received information from Copasa [on January 28th] that they were there, but they didn't take anything in writing, officially, stating that in that region they [residents] could consume it, and the water there is mainly from artesian wells, and they said it was uncontaminated," reports Daiana Elias Rodrigues, a Family and Community physician who is part of the National Network of Popular Doctors (RNMMP).

The nurse at the unit refused to pass on the guidance from the Minas Gerais Water and Sewage Company (Copasa/MG) to the community. "They even called the nurse at the [basic health] unit saying that we could inform the population. But the nurse said: I'm not going to pass this [Copasa's guidance] on at the assembly if you don't send a written statement," recalls the doctor.

Daiana, who also volunteered in Mariana in November 2015, classifies the health consequences for those affected into short, medium, and long-term problems. "In the short term, contact with the mud is a major concern; it can cause dermatitis. Another concern is respiratory issues because there's dust, a polluted environment. But we'll be paying attention to that. The main problem is psychological."

Following the tragedy in Mariana (MG), several institutes and movements began to monitor the health of the population in the Rio Doce Basin.

Respiratory, dermatological, and psychological problems were prevalent after the Mariana disaster. | Photo: Fernanda Brescia/Saúde Popular

Two years after the dam collapse, blood and urine tests performed on 11 people from the municipality of Barra Longa indicated high levels of nickel – a substance capable of causing skin diseases, hair loss, and other as yet unknown conditions. Three of them showed arsenic levels in their bodies, exceeding the acceptable limit.