The Sarandí stream, which flows into the Río de la Plata and borders a municipal ecological reserve, has turned a intense red along its entire length, from the Río de la Plata to the Roca train tracks.
The causes of this contamination are still a mystery. In the neighborhood, residents talk about contamination with aniline or chemical waste from a storage facility.
The results are visible and are consistent with other episodes of spills of corrosive lactic acid.
The Municipality of Avellaneda, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment of the Buenos Aires province, has taken water samples to analyze the substance responsible for this contamination. A source close to the tasks revealed that, initially, the substance does not appear to be toxic.
According to neighbors interviewed by Infobae, the strong and nauseating odor is noticeable along the canal and sometimes appears without the water turning a special color.
Although the area does not have many factories, there are warehouses and a pharmacy near the shopping mall, which fuels speculation about the origin of the red dye.
Changes in the coloration of the Sarandí stream are not uncommon, often presenting in yellow or greenish-yellow tones.
The neighbor mentions that spills, whether chemical or other products, are not rare in the area, so the recommendation is to close doors and windows until the stench dissipates.
Recently, Infobae reported that in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, accidents involving toxic spills increased by 30%. In January, one thousand liters of corrosive lactic acid were recorded, 500 liters of phosphoric acid, and 50 kilograms of dichlorinated chlorine spilled in busy areas.
Carlos Colángelo, President of the Professional Chemistry Council of the Buenos Aires Province (CPQ), highlighted the seriousness of these cases, explaining that substances like phosphoric acid can cause dangerous reactions if not handled properly, such as burns or inhalation of toxic fumes.
Experts agree that most spills occur in traffic accidents or in places where chemical substances are handled without proper training.
Colángelo emphasizes the importance of registering and training workers to minimize these events. The lack of professionals in the Chemistry Council of Buenos Aires is a concern, and there is an insistence on raising awareness about this issue in the industry.
From the Ministry of Environment of the Buenos Aires Province:
“On the morning of Thursday, February 6, we received the report that the Sarandí stream turned red in the Avellaneda Municipality. We were in the area with our mobile Environmental Analysis laboratory along with the Water Authority, ACUMAR, the Ecological Police, and the Municipality. We took samples of two liters of water for chemical analysis and analyzed by liquid chromatography with the aim of evaluating what substance is causing the coloration. It is estimated that it could be some type of organic dye.” Stated for Environmental News.
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