Environmental remediation in Massa-Carrara
22.5.2017
Question for written answer E-003460-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Piernicola Pedicini (EFDD) , Fabio Massimo Castaldo (EFDD)
The ‘Istituto per lo Studio e la Prevenzione Oncologica’ (ISPO — Institute for Oncological Studies and Prevention) has noted an overly high frequency of malignant tumours in the area of Massa-Carrara, the result of exposure to harmful pollutants released into water or the soil during chemical/industrial work in the area in past decades.
The pollutants concerned are heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, chlorinated solvents and plant protection products.
Tuscany’s Regional Environmental Protection Agency (the ARPAT) has criticised the decontamination work undertaken for being insufficient, complaining that as a result, remediation goals for the area have not been met.
Pollution of the aquifer beneath the National Site of Interest (NSI) at Massa-Carrara is a particular matter for concern, as is the fact that waters from the aquifer are not filtered in any way before entering the Lavello River.
This polluted groundwater should be restored to its former healthy state. With this in mind:
- —Does the Commission consider that Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC has been breached?
- —Given the local authorities’ failure to act, in compliance with Directive 2006/118/EC on the protection of groundwater, what steps will the Commission take to convince the local authorities to intervene and ensure that the work needed is carried out on the subsoil and the aquifer?