WRITTEN QUESTION No. 406/99 by Giuseppe RAUTI Health threat posed by pollution in Podenzano di Piacenza (Italy)
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, RAUTI
Subjects: Emilia-Romagna, European Commission, application of EU law, atmospheric pollutant, chemical industry, environmental impact, environmental protection, exchange of information, impact study, public health

C 370/36

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.12.1999

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0396/99 and E-0493/99
given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Members to the reply it gave to Oral Question H-669/98 by
Mr Ephremidis during question time at Parliament’s July 1998 part-session (1), as well as to its answers to
Written Questions E-741/98 (2) by Mr Papayannakis and E-3607/98 (3) by Mrs Schroedter.

Further to those replies, the Commission has now sent a formal
letter to Greece asking for precise
information on the matter. According to the response of the Greek authorities, the Commission will
consider the follow-up to be given to this case.

(1) Debates of the Parliament (July 1998).
(2) OJ C 402, 22.12.1998, p. 27.
(3) OJ C 297, 15.10.1999, p. 88.

(1999/C 370/047)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0406/99

by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Health threat posed by pollution in Podenzano di Piacenza (Italy)

On 27 November 1998 the Local Residents’ Committee of Colombaia in the district of Podenzano
(Piacenza) forwarded a report to the chairman of the Committee on the Environment (No 123) describing
the health and environmental conditions in the area caused by the presence of the company River S.p.a.
The area has been classified as a grade 1 polluted site. Meanwhile, the results of recent tests carried out by
the local AUSL have been issued, claiming that the dangers are non-existent, despite the fact that they have
been documented by other sources (161 certificates issued by specialist doctors, an experts’ report by the
CNR in Rome and an opinion by Dr Soffritti, a specialist in oncology from the University of Pavia, drawn
up at the request of the Piacenza Public Prosecutor’s Office. According to the two experts appointed by the
committee (Professor Bressa of ‘Toxicology Consultant’
in Padua and Dr Vianello from the chemical
laboratory of RD Chem of Dosson di Casier (TV)), these reports have revealed the superficial nature of the
methodologies employed. Moreover, the same company has already caused environmental damage in San
Stefano Lodigiano (LO) where similar chemical plants exist.

In the light of the above considerations:

1. Will the Commission say whether the local supervisory authorities are subject to civil liability in this

case?

2. Will it take steps to protect the health of the local population in compliance with European directives
such as Directive 84/360/EEC (1), which stipulates that no authorisations may be given until it has
been ascertained that there is no air pollution?

3. Will it seek to ensure that the surveys being carried out are monitored?

4. Will it bring to the attention of the Italian Government the public concern over this matter, which
does not seem to have been taken into consideration by the local authorities and the Minister of the
Environment, Mr Ronchi? Local inhabitants in this area have been treated as guinea pigs for four
years, during which countless analyses have been undertaken that have failed to produce firm results.
Meanwhile, the pollution continues and, according to Dr Soffritti, is responsible for the ill health
suffered by the population and is a likely cause of future cancers. Industrial activity and the profit
motive cannot be allowed to take precedence over the protection of public health and respect for the
environment.

(1) OJ L 188, 16.7.1984, p. 20.