The Renova Foundation informs that it has contracted Human Health and Environmental Risk Assessment studies that are being supplemented to be conclusive. The data are being evaluated by the state government of Minas Gerais and the municipalities of Mariana and Barra Longa.
The studies aim to identify if there are concentrations of chemical elements in the environment that may represent potential risks to the population’s health and their relationship with the Fundao dam collapse. The results will help defining actions and responsibilities with the regions impacted by the Fundao dam collapse. The Renova Foundation clarifies that the Human Health Risk Assessment Study was conducted pursuant to Resolution CIF 106 of 2017.
In compliance with Technical Note 11/2017, all data, information and reports produced by the study are prohibited from being published by contracted institutions and the Renova Foundation, without authorization from public authorities.
The Foundation further clarifies that the studies presented by Ambios were carried out in the areas directly affected by the Fundao dam collapse in Mariana and Barra Longa and were not intended to establish a correlation between the results found and the collapse.
The integrated health and environmental risk assessment study conducted by TecnoHidro and Grupo EPA, in turn, analyzed areas hit by the Fundao dam collapse and regions that were not affected but which have similar physical conditions and presented a larger number of samples. Also included was the assessment of historical concentrations in the region.
From these two studies – which underwent a peer review for quality control – it is necessary to discuss the results found with the Public Authorities and conduct in-depth analyses to define possible actions in the areas of health and environment.