Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state Monday imposed a fine worth about 17.5 million U.S. dollars on steel maker CSN for exposing families who live near its facilities to heavy metal contamination.

CSN donated the land to its employees in 1995 and did not inform them of the risk of contamination. Some 2,000 people now live in the area.

The workers built houses and even planted vegetable gardens on the land, unaware that they were exposed to several toxic substances.

According to the government, experts found 18 toxic substances at levels way above those permitted by law, including benzopyrene, benzofluoranthene and chrome.

Rio's Environment Secretary Carlos Minc said the fine could reach 25 million U.S. dollars if at least one person is proven to have been contaminated.

CSN will have to provide financial compensation to the workers and their families, and get them new homes, according to authorities.

The company will also have to decontaminate the land and water tables, a process that will cost 30 to 40 million U.S. dollars, Minc said. Endit

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