Severe mercury contamination in Amazon prompts state of emergency, Peru

Severe mercury contamination in Amazon prompts state of emergency, Peru

The Peruvian government has declared a 60-day state of emergency for 11 towns in Madre de Dios, a region in southeastern Peru’s Amazon Basin, after officials found alarmingly high levels of mercury. This highly toxic metal comes from illegal gold mines and…

At least 100 tons of dead fish washed ashore in central Vietnam

At least 100 tons of dead fish washed ashore in central Vietnam

Since early April 2016, at least 100 tons of dead fish have been washed ashore in an ongoing environmental disaster along the central coast of Vietnam, according to a government official. Fish, apparently killed by industrial effluents, washed ashore in Ha Tinh,…

Unprecedented toxic red algal bloom severely impacts Los Lagos, Chile

Unprecedented toxic red algal bloom severely impacts Los Lagos, Chile

The southern area of Los Lagos, Chile, has been affected by the unprecedented red algal bloom over the last month. The phenomenon has caused thousands of local fishermen to protest the government's "insufficient" effort to alleviate the economic…

Radioactive vapors at Hanford nuclear site affect 26 workers, Washington

Radioactive vapors at Hanford nuclear site affect 26 workers, Washington

26 workers have now been affected by the radioactive fumes leaking from the Hanford nuclear site in the US state of Washington since April 17, 2016. After several years of radioactive waste leaking, the amount grew dramatically that day when 13 000 liters (3 500…

Tons of dead fish washed ashore in central Vietnam

Tons of dead fish washed ashore in central Vietnam

Tons of various species of dead fish washed ashore along the central coast of Vietnam over the last couple of days. The fish bodies show signs of poisoning and an investigation is being carried out to investigate the issue. The local authorities claim such an…

Alison Canyon massive gas leak finally sealed, California

Alison Canyon massive gas leak finally sealed, California

The natural gas leak in Porter Ranch, California, was officially declared sealed on February 18, 2016. Four months passed since the pipeline rupture spewed massive amounts of methane and displaced thousands of Los Angeles residents from their homes. Tests performed…

Radioactive spill at the nuclear plant site in New York, US

Radioactive spill at the nuclear plant site in New York, US

The Indian Point nuclear plant in New York reported a radioactive spill that began on February 5, 2016. Since then, groundwater tests conducted directly at the plant site showed a 65 000% increase in radioactivity, media reported. The water leak happened when a…

California methane leak one of the worst environmental disasters in US

California methane leak one of the worst environmental disasters in US

The leak of natural gas observed by the Southern California Gas Company in its facility in Porter Ranch on October 23, 2015, is now the largest natural gas leak ever recorded in California, and it might be the worst environmental disaster since BP's Deepwater…