‘Terrified’ families seek justice in Italy ‘forever chemicals’ trial

Key Takeaways:

• Massive PFAS Contamination Affects Hundreds of Thousands: Up to 350,000 people may have been exposed to toxic chemicals in their water supply due to the Miteni chemical plant’s activities.
• Landmark Environmental Trial Underway: Fifteen managers face charges of knowingly contaminating water and soil, with potential prison sentences of up to 15 years.
• Serious Health Risks Linked to PFAS Exposure: Chronic exposure to PFAS chemicals is associated with liver damage, high cholesterol, reduced immune responses, low birthweights, and several types of cancer.
• Community Activism Led by Local Mothers: Groups like “Mums Against PFAS” have emerged, with families demanding accountability and safer environmental practices.
• Ongoing Concerns Over Food and Environmental Safety: Environmental groups warn of continued pollution and possible contamination of local food products due to inadequate testing.

Italy’s Battle Against ‘Forever Chemicals’: A Community Seeks Justice

The Hidden Poison in Italy’s Waters

In the quiet regions between Vicenza, Verona, and Padova in northeastern Italy, a silent threat has emerged—water contamination by PFAS, dubbed “forever chemicals” due to their inability to break down. The now-shuttered Miteni chemical plant, located in Trissino, stands at the center of a landmark environmental lawsuit, accused of knowingly polluting one of Europe’s largest groundwater basins.

The Miteni Plant and Allegations of Negligence

Since 1968, the Miteni plant produced PFAS chemicals used to manufacture nonstick, waterproof, and stain-resistant products—from frying pans to dental floss. The plant, operated by companies including Mitsubishi and International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG) until its bankruptcy in 2018, allegedly leaked chemical-laced wastewater into waterways, contaminating nearly 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) of drinking water and soil.

Health Impacts of PFAS Exposure

PFAS exposure, even at low levels, is linked to severe health issues such as liver damage, high cholesterol, reduced immune responses, low birthweights, and various cancers. Local doctor Vincenzo Cordiano, an expert in cancer and blood diseases and regional head of the International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), noticed higher than average cancer rates and “excess mortality that could be explained by PFAS” in the affected areas.

Voices from the Affected Communities

“For us, it was a blow to the heart,” says Giovanna Dal Lago, a mother of five and one of the plaintiffs in the trial. “How could a mother think that she had poisoned her children without knowing, without having a choice?” Families like hers discovered PFAS chemicals in their blood, realizing they had been exposed through tap water, homegrown foods, and livestock they raised. The revelation spurred community action, uniting mothers in groups like “Mums Against PFAS” to demand justice and safer environmental practices.

Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences

The trial, which began in 2021 and is expected to reach a verdict in May or June, sees fifteen managers facing charges of contaminating water and soil. If found guilty of knowingly poisoning the tap water, they could face up to 15 years in prison. Over 200 civil plaintiffs have joined the case, seeking compensation and accountability for what lawyer Matteo Ceruti describes as “one of the biggest environmental disasters in history.”

Environmental Activism and Advocacy

Environmental organizations like Greenpeace Italia have become civil plaintiffs in the case, highlighting the ongoing pollution due to the failure to clean up the Miteni site. “The lack of controls could potentially expose thousands of citizens, not just Italians but also Europeans,” warns Giuseppe Ungherese, Greenpeace’s pollution expert.

Food Safety and Environmental Concerns

There are growing fears about possible wider contamination of food products grown locally or livestock raised in the area. Environmental groups and community activists are urging regional authorities to conduct regular testing and publicize the results. However, there is suspicion that authorities are wary of damaging the agricultural industry and exports, including products like Prosecco sparkling wine and cheese.

Government and Regulatory Response

The contamination was discovered in 2013 after tests of the Po River revealed high concentrations of PFOA, a known carcinogen. At the time, there were no Italian or EU thresholds for PFAS in drinking water. The Veneto region, initially advised that there was no “immediate risk to the population,” installed filters to treat the water. Yet, trust in the safety measures remains low among residents. “We are still terrified of home tap water,” says Dal Lago.

Seeking Justice and Preventing Future Disasters

As the trial progresses, the affected communities remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice. The case not only represents a fight for accountability but also highlights the urgent need for stricter environmental regulations and proactive measures to prevent such disasters. The outcome may set a precedent for how environmental crimes are addressed in Italy and across Europe.

This article is based on original reporting by Agence France-Presse via Raw Story.