Being an Instagram influencer may seem like an easy job, but it's not as easy as it looks. Not everyone is up to being camera-ready at all times. There are also plenty of people who aren't willing to do whatever it takes to get the perfect shot. Putting in the work gets results in the land of social media, however. Sometimes, that means uncomfortable poses, traveling to a location to get the perfect shot, or putting yourself in weird situations.
Some influencers are learning that these quests for the perfect picture should be prefaced with some more research. In Galicia, Spain, influencers have flocked to Monte Neme, a lake filled with turquoise water that's located in the northwestern coastal region of Carballo. The serene, picturesque location may seem like a great place to strike a pose, but at what cost? Many Instagram influencers are reporting getting sick after posing in the water. There's a reason for that: The lake is filled with toxic chemical waste that poured into the water from a nearby World War II tungsten mine, the Telegraph reports.
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Summertime opens up a world of possibility for Instagram influencers. They travel throughout the world, eager to showcase themselves in idyllic spots. The more obscure the spot, the better. A new location that Instagram influencers have been flocking to is causing them a lot of trouble, however.
The location is Monte Neme, a picturesque turquoise lake in the northwestern coastal region of Carballo. Influencers love to post photos of themselves swimming in the pretty waters. They would benefit from doing some research before taking a dip, however.
There's a very serious reason behind Monte Neme's turquoise hue. The lake is located near a World War II-era tungsten mine. Toxic chemicals from the mine have contaminated the water, giving it the coloring that makes it such a draw.
The mine was for the extraction of wolfram. The iron manganese tungstate mineral is used to make light bulb filament. Mining began at that site during World War I but fell into decline following World War II before closing for good in the 1980s.
The area has even been referred to as the "Galician Chernobyl," referencing just how seriously toxic the waters are. Influencers are starting to feel the effects of the chemically contaminated waters, according to Spanish news outlet Público.
Influencers have reported symptoms as minor as vomiting and rash, but there have been more serious reactions as well. Público reports that "more than one has had to be hospitalized for damage to the skin and digestive system."
Many of the influencers who visit the spot are unaware of its history. Some are aware, however. One influencer, Uxía, told Público that she got a rash from her experience at Monte Neme, which was "a little bad, yes, but the picture was worth it."
A similar situation has arisen in Russia at a lake that's referred to as the "Siberian Seychelles." It also has turquoise waters, surrounded there by white sand. The site's real name translates to "Lake Ash Dump," and with good reason.
The site receives runoff from a nearby coal-fired power station, which is responsible for the water's vivid coloring. The dissolved calcium salts and other metal oxides make the water highly alkaline and dangerous.
Photographer Mikhail Reshetnikov described what the area is like to the Siberian Times. "When you drive up to this lake, there is a very strong smell of laundry detergent, of alkali," he explained. "Naturally, there is no desire to touch such water. You just feel that this is not a safe place."
The Siberian Generating Company is responsible for the site and has issued a warning against using it as a photo-op locale. Despite the area becoming a "star of social networks," the company warns, "We beg you not to fall into the ash dump in the pursuit of selfies. That is the biggest danger."
Like the site in Spain, the warnings have not stopped Instagram influencers from visiting the dangerous area. One influencer reported, "Looking at my photo, I can say with confidence that it was worth it," despite having developed a skin rash from getting in the water.
While the Russian lake location has warnings on-site in addition to the ones issued by the Siberian Generating Company, influencers aren't dissuaded. One wrote on a photo from the location, "The entrance is prohibited, but since this whole thing is not fenced, it means we can ."
Hopefully, these influencers will realize that their health is worth a lot more than likes. There are plenty of breathtakingly beautiful locations that are safe to visit. There's no need to expose yourself to harmful chemicals, just for the 'gram.
