The situation at a munitions company in Durango has escalated to legal action after a problem affecting one-third of its workforce came to light. Out of thirty employees at the plant, ten are currently on sick leave after testing positive for elevated arsenic levels in their blood and urine. The most critical case involves a furnace supervisor, who is hospitalized at Galdakao-Usansolo in a very serious condition, with only 10% lung capacity.

Given the severity of the situation, a criminal complaint was filed last Monday. According to the affected workers, the company has been recording arsenic levels that are five times higher than the permitted limits. Medical reports submitted as evidence by the employees show alarming figures: while normal arsenic levels should be 35 micrograms per liter of urine, measurements of 68.5 and 68.8 have been documented, with “peaks of up to 480”.

Some workers have also reported serious safety deficiencies, stating that the aspiration system is not functioning correctly and that lead and arsenic are accumulating significantly. Furthermore, they claim to lack instruction manuals for handling these substances and that FFP3 masks, essential for this type of particle, are not being used daily.

In response to the gravity of the events, the ELA and LAB unions have joined the case and accuse the company's management of attempting to conceal analysis data. Meanwhile, Osalan has confirmed its immediate intervention, with scheduled visits to the plant to assess the real risk.

Despite the concern generated, the Durango City Council has assured that all relevant controls have been passed and that the air quality outside the municipality is good, remaining within legal parameters. However, workers insist that the situation inside the facility is alarming and that heavy metal contamination is a reality that has led one of their colleagues to the hospital.