Presbyterian Church(USA), Peru, CNN & pollution

For 10 years, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission workers in Peru have worked with the people of La Oroya, which Doe Run Co. heavy-metal operations have made one of the ten most polluted cities in the world.

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission worker Jacob Goad (right) describes the environmental and health effects of the Doe Run smelter operation (in the background) to CNN, which is producing a documentary on the church’s work in La Oroya. Photo courtesy of CNN

Emily Enders Odom of the Presbyterian News Service writes:

In this city of 35,000 people, more than 95% of the children have elevated levels of lead in their bodies which can cause mental retardation, kidney problems and stunted growth.

“This tragedy,” said Sara Lisherness, Director of the Compassion, Peace and Justice Ministry area of the General Assembly Council (GAC) of the PC(USA), “is the result of American company Doe Run, operator of one of the largest smelters in the southern hemisphere, dumping over two million pounds of toxic emissions, such as lead, over the city each day.”

CNN is to air a report on the city Thursday, Dec. 11 as part of its Planet in Peril series.