Peru-Bolivia route blocked over Titicaca pollution

Protesters on Tuesday blocked a busy highway linking Peru and Bolivia for a second day over increased pollution in the Titicaca, the lake the two countries share, local media reported.

By Nuclear Power Daily Editorial Team · Editorial process

Published May 18, 2009

Protesters on Tuesday blocked a busy highway linking Peru and Bolivia for a second day over increased pollution in the Titicaca, the lake the two countries share, local media reported.

Local residents are concerned over residues from illegal mining operations being dumped in the Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, Radio Sariri reported.

According to Radio Erbol, the levels of lead and arsenic contamination in the Titicaca have risen considerably in the past years.

Several area towns in both Peru and Bolivia also have sewage systems that drain into the lake.

The lake, 8,500 square kilometers (3,282 miles) large, is in the Andes at 3,800 meters (12,470 feet) above the sea level.

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