Fire in Pomezia

8.5.2017

Question for written answer E-003204-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Mario Borghezio (ENF)

The EcoX plant in Pomezia (Rome) treats and store hazardous and ferrous waste. On 5 May 2017 a very serious fire broke out, emitting a dense toxic cloud in which the presence of dioxin was ascertained. The dioxin was carried by the wind to residential areas over 20 km away. The fire also reached the asbestos that was contained in the roof covering of the storage facility.

This area has many waste disposal and treatment plants, in addition to numerous companies which pose major accident risks (Seveso legislation); last year a similar incident took place in the same area, resulting in emissions of air-borne pollutants. Recent epidemiological studies have found an alarming incidence of cancer in this area that is clearly above the regional average.

Is the Commission aware of this grave situation and how does it intend to assess the failings, in terms of prevention, of this site and of other hazardous waste treatment and storage sites in Italy?

Can it also say when the last inspections were carried out both at the facility in which the incident took place and at those in the same area?