
An Italian official was forced Friday to reassure residents their water is safe to drink, after tests showed that toxic waste had leaked into the supply in the central region of Abruzzo. Following a series of alarming reports, regional governor Gianni Chiodi said that water was "no longer poisoned" and was of "excellent quality". Tests published this week showed toxic waste had infected the water supply of some 700,000 people in the Abruzzo region -- more than half the territory's population -- between 2004 and 2007, after industrial waste buried for decades leaked into the water supply. Montedison, now known as Edison, is accused of burying some 250,000 tonnes of toxic and industrial waste at a facility in Abruzzo, which has been open since the 1960s. Some 19 Montedison executives are currently on trial as a result of the investigation into the leaks. Forest rangers and environmentalists from the WWF first reported finding traces of toxic chemicals in the water supply in 2007. These initial tests led to a broader investigation, the results of which were released Wednesday by Italy's state public health institute. The Corriere della Sera daily said the chemicals found in the water supply could affect the nervous system, the liver and kidneys and are suspected of being carcinogenic, although no cases of illnesses linked to the pollution have yet been reported. "Knowing 700,000 people might have drunk polluted water for years is terrifying," Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti told the Il Mattino daily.
GMT 13:29 2018 Monday ,01 January
Serbia launches probe after toxic waste dumped near BelgradeGMT 19:03 2017 Thursday ,28 December
Pregnant elephant 'poisoned' in Indonesian palm plantationGMT 16:26 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Nepal's two last known dancing bears rescued: officialsGMT 10:51 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Florida orange industry hit by hurricane, diseaseGMT 09:09 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Modern-day amber 'Klondikes' thrive in troubled UkraineGMT 19:23 2017 Saturday ,23 December
Indonesian pangolin faces extinction due to traffickingGMT 11:37 2017 Friday ,22 December
Global warming may boost asylum-seekers in Europe: studyGMT 07:32 2017 Friday ,22 December
Modern-day Mowgli: Indian toddler forges bond with monkeys
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor