Perception of contamination by heavy metals and health risks in Cerro de Pasco 2023

Abstract

The aim was to analyze the social representations of the population in two districts in Cerro de Pasco, regarding heavy metal contamination and its biopsychosocial consequences from a qualitative approach to 2023. Focus groups, in-depth interviews and projective techniques were applied. It was found that the population has a clear understanding of heavy metal contamination in their area and it is naturalized in the imagination of the population of these districts. According to the groups investigated, the psychosocial aspects of the affected populations are different: the feeling of helplessness and hopelessness in adults and older adults is more pronounced. On the contrary, children and adolescents are optimistic, they tolerate the conditions in which they live. The groups investigated consider that the MINSA's interventions to confront heavy metal contamination are insufficient, they are dissatisfied with the attitude of local and regional authorities due to acts of corruption and political exploitation, indifference to their unsatisfied basic needs such as the right to the consumption of healthy water, discontent due to the perception of the non-existence of a decisive policy to confront environmental pollution. The perception of the interviewees associates pollution (contaminated water, non-existence of drinking water, presence of tailings, contaminated rivers, smoke, noise pollution due to mining explosions), with poor health (vomiting, excessive fatigue in children and adults) and economic damage (death of their animals and plants) presented by themselves, their family members and neighbors.