Tailings-tainted soils threaten bananas and other crops in Brazil, study finds

Brazilian researchers warn that soils contaminated by iron mining tailings near Linhares transfer metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, and lead into edible crops. Bananas appear particularly risky for young children, with copper and lead in cocoa pulp also exceeding safety limits. While adult risk remains low, the study flags potential long-term cancer risks from cumulative exposure and calls for monitoring and mitigation.