Sustainability and safety initiatives reported in Mexico and Colombia

In Mexico, researcher Gabriel Contreras Zarazúa from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) is developing safer and more sustainable processes for producing bioturbosina (bio-jet fuel) using biomass and organic waste. During the 4th Mexican Symposium on Process Systems Engineering, Contreras Zarazúa emphasized that industrial safety must be integrated from the earliest design stages to mitigate risks such as explosions, fires, or toxic releases. He noted that approximately 90 percent of chemical plant accidents are linked to human error or negligence, advocating for methodologies like Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) to evaluate design alternatives before construction.

In Colombia, authorities conducted an operation in the La Chacua district of Soacha to combat illegal charcoal production. The Regional Autonomous Corporation (CAR) and the Carabineros Police discovered a complex producing charcoal through open-air burning without emission control systems. Four individuals were arrested at the site, where 12 wood piles of varying sizes were found in combustion. Officials expressed concern that these uncontrolled burns exacerbate risks during drought conditions and contribute to air pollution and respiratory issues.