In an effort to better understand and provide information about arsenic to Paracatu residents, Kinross has supported extensive research projects, such as the CETEM and the INCT-Acqua studies, by multi-disciplinary teams of leading arsenic experts examining overall arsenic exposure from airborne dust, soil, water and food. Both studies found that exposure to arsenic in Paracatu is considered low.
CETEM, part of the Brazilian federal government’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is one of the largest and most important mining technology research institutes in Brazil.
Between 2011 and 2013, CETEM were commissioned by the Municipality of Paracatu to coordinate a study to evaluate arsenic levels in the city of Paracatu with the aim of presenting independent results.
The State Public Attorney was closely involved in the overall coordination and public presentation of the study which was presented on March 18th, 2014, at a public hearing in the Municipality of Paracatu.
Since 2009, a series of research studies has been carried out by a multidisciplinary team from the National Institute of Science and Technology on Minerals Resources, Water and Biodiversity (INCT-Acqua) in Paracatu, Minas Gerais.
The INCT-Acqua study, conducted together with leading arsenic experts at the Federal University of Minas Gerais and the University of Queensland, involved extensive sampling of soil, dust, water and food, and corroborates the results of the CETEM study and other peer-reviewed research.
Regarding Kinross employees, Kinross offers annual arsenic testing to all its employees. The results are communicated to employees during their periodic medical checkups. Urine tests of on average 1,418 samples per year since 2012 indicate all employees tested below screening levels of less than 50 µg/g of Creatinine for arsenic exposure, which is the Brazilian occupational exposure guidelines (NR -07 – Brazilian Regulating Standard, Labor and Employment Ministry, 1994)7.
In addition to the two studies mentioned above, there has been numerous third party research conducted that has evaluated arsenic levels in Paracatu. All of the references demonstrate that exposure to arsenic in and around Paracatu is considered low. Click here for a full list of references.
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