They knew they were polluting. But they remained silent. The historic ruling against Miteni, a chemical company from Vicenza, confirms this: the managers were aware of the contamination of the Veneto waters by PFAS (the so-called eternal pollutants) and continued to produce, thus putting the health of 350 thousand people at risk.
Last June 26, the Assize Court of Vicenza inflicted a total of 141 years in prison on 11 of the 15 managers of the former Miteni factory in Trissino and of the multinationals ICIG and Mitsubishi. But only now do we know the precise reasons behind this environmental scandal. From what emerged, it was a deliberate choice in the name of profit. And those who pay the consequences, in addition to the environment, are tens of thousands of inhabitants of the Veneto.
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What are the contaminated areas
The one linked to Miteni represents one of the most serious cases of pollution in the history of our country. But not only that. It is one of the most extensive PFAS (poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances) contaminations in the world.
Pandora’s box was opened in 2013, thanks to an investigation by the CNR-IRSA which shed light on the damage caused by the Italian chemical company owned by the German group WeylChem (ICIG) which for over 50 years PFAS in the municipality of Trissino, in the province of Vicenza. PFAS contamination affects a vast area between the provinces of Vicenza, Verona and Padua.
In this area, 350 thousand people – unaware of the risks – found themselves living in a polluted environment and with one of the largest aquifers in Europe, irremediably compromised.
PFAS: an invisible but eternal threat
But what exactly are PFAS and why do they pose a health threat? PFAS are synthetic chemical compounds widely used in industry for their waterproofing and non-stick properties. The big problem with these substances is their resistance: they are practically indestructible and are defined as “forever chemicals” since they remain in the environment and in the human body for decades.
Over time, PFAS tend to accumulate in the blood and organs, with potential harmful health effects. Several scientific studies have associated exposure to these substances with an increased risk of tumors, particularly kidney and testicular tumors, as well as damage to the immune system and alterations in thyroid function. Prolonged exposure can also lead to high cholesterol levels, liver problems and complications during pregnancy. In children, exposure to PFAS can interfere with growth and development, causing developmental delays.
