São Tomé de Paripe, Suburb, Salvador Feijão Almeida/GOVBA Salvador City Hall declared an emergency situation in the region of São Tomé de Paripe, in Subúrbio Ferroviário, after the identification of contamination by chemical substances in the coastal strip of the locality. The measure was made official through Decree No. 41,834, published on Monday (8), and will be initially valid for 90 days. According to the document, the problem was caused by the spillage of chemical products in lake, river, marine and aquifer environments, classified as an environmental disaster. The affected area was delimited by the Civil Defense of Salvador. Technical reports from the Institute for the Environment and Water Resources (Inema) identified high levels of heavy metals, such as iron, copper and zinc, in marine organisms collected in the region. 📲 Click here and join the g1 Bahia WhatsApp group The highest rates were found in bivalve molluscs (those characterized by the presence of a carbonate shell formed by two valves, such as oysters and mussels) with concentrations higher than those observed in crustaceans. Federal Police opens investigation to investigate pollution on São Tomé de Paripe Beach According to the decree, the contamination is associated with activities carried out by the companies Gerdau and Intermarítima, which would have caused impacts throughout the coastal strip of São Tomé de Paripe. The decision takes into account the environmental and social damage caused to the local population, including damage to fishing activities and health risks. The Public Ministry had already recommended the adoption of emergency measures to minimize impacts. Blue and yellow spots appear on São Tomé de Paripe beach. Personal file With the recognition of the emergency situation, the city hall is authorized to mobilize all municipal bodies for response actions, assistance to affected people and recovery of affected areas. The measure also paves the way for federal recognition of the emergency, which allows the request for resources from the Union for humanitarian support and the execution of recovery works. The city hall informed that it will continue to monitor the situation and that new measures may be adopted as the scenario evolves. In an interview with g1 in May this year, the president of the Association of Fishermen and Shellfish Marketers of Subúrbio, Reinaldo Jorge Cirne, stated that fishermen have been looking for alternatives to continue working. Around 1200 professionals make up the entity and, given the scenario, some started to turn to other services to obtain income. "This toxic product ends everything, some fishermen are collecting cans, cardboard, recycling to survive", he details. Health risks Blue and yellow spots appear on São Tomé de Paripe beach. Personal file According to experts, the chemical substances found at the site pose risks to the health of the population. Residents of communities around the beach point out that there is little guidance for the population and signs on the beach, which was not closed after contamination. According to analyzes by the Municipal Health Department (SMS), the chemicals found can cause dermatological problems, such as skin and gastrointestinal irritations. In a note, the organization informed that Health Surveillance teams have been working in the region and monitoring new health cases in the locality. Suspected cases of poisoning due to exposure to chemicals have been reported in the region and are monitored by the department. SMS also stated that specialized teams have been carrying out actions on site to guide workers and community residents regarding the risks of contamination. Until the technical analyzes are completed, the secretariat recommends that the population avoid: consume fish and shellfish caught in the area; direct contact (bathing or fishing) with sea water in the region under investigation; Seek immediate medical assistance in case of the appearance of spots on the skin, itching, nausea or breathing difficulties after contact with the contaminated area. READ MORE: Work suspended and health risk: fishermen demand action from public authorities after beach contamination in the suburb of Salvador Research finds copper in crabs from a contaminated beach in the suburb of Salvador Around 7,000 fireworks are seized during a police operation in five cities in Bahia See more state news on g1 Bahia. Watch videos from g1 and TV Bahia 💻