The pipeline explosion in Tlahuelilpan, Hidalgo that killed more than 100 people in January has caused irreversible environmental damage and high levels of soil pollution in the San Primitivo community , according to the Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) .
After conducting a study of the ground, PROFEPA confirmed that pollution levels at the site where the explosion occurred on January 18 exceeded permitted levels of hydrocarbons established by the Mexican Official Standard (NOM-138-SEMARNAT/SSA1-2012) , which establishes guidelines for sampling and remedy of contaminated sites.
Inspectors from the government body, upon request by the Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) , have analyzed some soil samples obtained at various points in the area affected to assess the environmental impact of the pipeline explosion.
The results showed that the area was contaminated with total hydrocarbons, light steam-cracked, and BTEX (the sum parameter of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylenes).
Upon analyzing all 27 samples collected by the government body, experts concluded that concentrations of light steam-cracked were found within a detection range of between 0.04mg/kg and 3,218.56mg/kg, whereas the maximum permissible limit is of 200mg/kg. As for BTEX, detection ranges fell between 0.07mg/kg and 16.82mg/kg. In this case, the maximum permissible limit is of 6.00mg/kg.
The specialists pointed out that the soil was able to admit a series of alterations which could be assimilated as long as they do not exceed the limits of its absorption capacity.
The concentration of hydrocarbons could remain in the soil for years, causing severe and irreversible damage to water basins, plants, and animals in the area.
The largest concentration of hydrocarbons was found in the area surrounding an irrigation canal.
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