Approximately 300 residents from Vila Maranhão, São Luís, are expected to return home after a major fertilizer leak forced their evacuation. The return is dependent on the fulfillment of specific conditions set by the judiciary during a hearing at the Sarney Costa Forum. This hearing involved various stakeholders, including representatives from the affected families, legal advisors, the Maranhão Public Ministry, Civil Defense, and environmental technicians, who collectively evaluated compliance with judicial decisions regarding the disaster response.

During the meeting held on Thursday, September 19, the terms were established for the resumption of operations by the Valen company, which had been implicated in the leak that affected 77 families in the area. The court has mandated that Valen's future activities must take place only in covered and internal areas to mitigate any further risk to the local community. Additionally, the implementation of containment systems and the installation of a treatment and settlement station have been deemed compulsory as preventative measures against similar incidents in the future.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges that communities face in managing industrial risks and the importance of regulatory oversight to protect public health and safety. The court's involvement reflects a growing awareness of corporate responsibility and the need for companies to adhere strictly to environmental regulations, ensuring that affected residents are prioritized in recovery plans. The local government's commitment to oversee these conditions may also set a precedent for future industrial incidents in Brazil, emphasizing the role of judicial systems in environmental governance.