The explosion occurred on Friday night in the Carlos Spegazzini industrial area in the Ezeiza district of Buenos Aires. It generated a shock wave that was felt miles away A major fire put the entire area on alert. More than twenty firefighting teams They worked for hours to contain the fireWhich reached at least six industrial factories and They left 24 woundedEight of them were taken to hospitals and were already discharged on Saturday morning, according to health sources in the province. The companies affected include Iron Mountain, Larroca Minera, Almacén de Frío, Aditivos Alimentarios and a distributor called Salón. Meanwhile, emergency teams focused their efforts on protecting the Flamia factory designated for storing highly flammable products, to prevent the fire from spreading further. Other companies on the property, such as Sinteplast and Molinos Cañuelas, reported that their facilities were not damaged.
The fire generated a massive plume of black smoke and a strong smell of burning plastic. What consequences could this phenomenon have on the ecosystem and on the inhabitants of Al-Aziza? The question was asked a few hours after the explosion. As the morning progressed, Neighbors reported suspended ash and dense fog spreading into surrounding neighborhoods.
Given the concern, local authorities tried to bring peace of mind. Al-Aziza Municipality confirmed in a statement that:No signs of chemical pollution spreading in the air were detected, nor were any communications received regarding symptoms of poisoning among residents.“.
According to the text, “The thick black cloud is visible It is the result of burning tires at the La Roca Minera factory“.
For its part, the Ministry of Security in Buenos Aires, through Civil Defense, reported this Air quality measurements conducted in the area did not detect the presence of dangerous gases. “The recorded values correspond only to particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) resulting from the combustion of the accident,” they stated. According to the governorate’s report. The cloud does not represent a risk to the health of the populationAlthough they recommend that people who are sensitive to smoke — children, the elderly, or those with respiratory illnesses — avoid direct exposure until the suspended material has completely dissipated.
In conversation with NationAgostina Rosi Serra, a biodiversity specialist at Greenpeace Argentina, explained, “Even without knowing the exact composition of the cloud generated in Ezeiza, Any fire in facilities that handle chemicals can release a mixture of particles and gases that affect air quality. And justify precautionary measures.” He cited warnings from the World Health Organization, the US Agency for Toxic Substances and the Disease Registry, which warn that smoke from industrial fires May contain irritants or contaminants with potential impact on human healthEspecially in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with pre-existing respiratory or heart diseases.
Environmentally speaking, Rossi Serra explained that there is a cloud of industrial smoke It can cause multiple effectseven when it is not known specifically what substances were involved. “When chemicals and plastics are burned, Smoke contains a complex mixture of fine particles and debris that settle in the immediate environment. “The first environmental impact occurs due to the fall of this molecular substance on floors, surfaces, plants and bodies of water,” she said. According to the specialist, these deposits can include the remains of burning plastic materials, solvents, or chemical containers, which… Temporarily changing soil quality It requires subsequent monitoring to determine whether contaminants persist.
The expert also pointed out that rain or humidity can drag waste into nearby sewage systems or waterways, Which can generate changes in water quality parameters and affect sensitive aquatic organisms. “In small or low-flow bodies of water, the arrival of particles from industrial fires can significantly impact fish, amphibians and invertebrates. If there are traces of agricultural chemicals in the mixture – something that has not yet been confirmed -, The weakness will be greater“, to caution.
The effects are not limited to water and soil. Vegetation can also be affected by the accumulation of soot and combustion residues, which can temporarily interfere with photosynthesis and generate physiological stress in plants. “In areas surrounding cities, the effect can be observed in trees, bed gardens or ornamental plants exposed to smoke. In addition, birds, insects and small mammals can suffer from the direct effects of smoke, especially if the cloud remains low or dense,” Rossi Serra added.
For a specialist, the first days after an event of this kind They are essential for identifying environmental and health risks. “short term, The main thing is to protect the population and ensure transparency of information. Facing a cloud whose contents are not yet known, Exposure should be avoided as much as possible He explained that what is being investigated will be clearly conveyed. In the medium term, he pointed out that Environmental monitoring should be carried out in the most exposed areas And publish the results. In the long term, this was considered necessary Review the locations of factories that deal with hazardous materials And ensure they have robust, public and up-to-date emergency plans. “Real mitigation starts before the fire, by gradually reducing the presence of chemicals near communities,” he said.
From a health perspective, clinician Ramiro Heredia explained Nation The consequences of smoke depend on the time and degree of exposure, as well as on the type of material that was burned. “In people who are directly exposed, The main thing is a medical evaluation“We must take into account the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning, in addition to thermal or acute injuries,” he noted. For those who are in the vicinity, It is recommended to limit exposure to smokeAvoid outdoor activities, use N95 masks, and keep doors and windows closed Make sure your air conditioner filters are clean. He pointed out that “it is also important to continue treating chronic respiratory diseases and consult with symptoms such as eye irritation, coughing, or difficulty breathing.”
Heredia determined that Smoke acts as an irritant to the mucous membranes and can cause itching, watery eyes, nasal congestion, throat burning, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, as well as headache and fatigue.. “The irritating effects of smoke can precipitate an asthma attack or exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” he explained. He said the groups most at risk are children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with respiratory or heart diseases, although even those who do not belong to these groups can suffer effects if exposure continues for a long time.
After the critical hours, the fire went out and the cloud began to dissipate, but uncertainty remained in the air. The images of black skies and the lingering odor reminded us that even though the immediate danger had passed, The environmental and health consequences of such an event can extend far beyond the moment of fire.. While official authorities confirm that air measurements did not detect toxic gases, health and environmental specialists confirmed We agree that the real challenge does not end with fire control: it begins later.
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