Capuaba Port: Residents report chemical odor in Vila Velha neighborhood

Residents of the Paul neighborhood, in the city of Vila Velha, southeastern Brazil, have complained of a strong odor resembling cooking gas coming from tanks used to store chemical products at Morro do Atalaia, an area adjacent to the Port of Capuaba. Vila Velha is located in the state of Espírito Santo, across the bay from the state capital Vitória, and is part of one of Brazil’s main port complexes.

According to residents, the discomfort began several days ago and intensified during the last week of December. Testimonies shared on social media indicate that the smell has been strong enough to cause physical discomfort for some people living nearby.

“I’ve had severe headaches because of this strong gas smell,” one resident wrote. “I couldn’t sleep all night,” said another. A third person said the odor was so intense that she initially thought she had left her kitchen gas on. “It’s awful. It smells like dead rats,” another comment read.

Odor linked to fertilizer cargo

Folha Vitória contacted the relevant authorities. Vports, the company that manages the port terminals of Vitória and Vila Velha, stated that the product involved is a fertilizer.

According to the company, the situation is related to a specific fertilizer operation at Capuaba Wharf, which complies with all applicable environmental and safety requirements and meets the standards set by regulatory authorities. Vports added that, according to its technical data sheet, the cargo is classified as non-hazardous and that efforts are underway to minimize the discomfort caused to the local population.

Weather conditions may intensify the smell

Vila Velha’s Municipal Environment Secretariat said that the company responsible for the chemical cargo holds a valid environmental license issued by the competent authorities. The agency also noted that certain weather conditions can contribute to stronger odors.

The statement reads: “the licensing allows the company to operate with products classified as non-hazardous, which may still generate strong smells, particularly under specific climatic conditions such as higher humidity or temperature variations. This could explain why the odor has been more noticeable at night.”

The municipal authority added that the company is not authorized to store contaminating materials or substances that pose risks to human health. It also stated that the situation is being monitored and that any violations of regulations will be subject to appropriate measures.

“So far, there is no evidence that the odor poses a direct health risk to residents in the area,” the agency said.

State environmental agency to inspect the site

The Espírito Santo State Environmental and Water Resources Institute (Iema) said the tanks are being used to store odorless products. The agency reported that it has not yet received formal complaints about odors in the area but confirmed that a technical team would be sent to the site to assess the situation.

Longstanding issue

Complaints related to the tanks installed at Morro do Atalaia are not new. A Folha Vitória report published in 2015 already highlighted concerns from local residents about the presence of chemical storage tanks in the area.

At the time, residents argued that the proximity of the tanks to residential zones posed a safety risk, noting that the structures were built next to homes, businesses, daycare centers and a church. Back then, the information available indicated that the tanks were used to store fuel.

Source: Folha Vitória

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