Demand Stricter Pollution Standards for the European Union
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for the Environment
Recently, an aluminum refinery in Ajka, Hungary spilled toxic sludge over nearby towns causing at least four deaths and over 120 injuries.
In its liquid form, the sludge is wreaking havoc, causing severe burns to the townspeople, devastating agriculture, flooding homes, and killing livestock around the refinery as it pours into the Marcal River. As the wet sludge dries, fears are developing about the toxicity becoming airborne in the form of lead-filled dust.
This sludge, considered non-toxic by European Union pollution standards, is not only affecting Hungary. As it leaks into the Marcal River, it also floods into the Danube, one of the area's largest waterways.
Tell European Commissioner for the Environment about the need for stricter policies on industrial waste in Europe.
The recent floods of toxic sludge in Ajka, Hungary have devastated the lands, homes and livelihood of all the towns surrounding the refinery, MAL Magyar Aluminum. The sludge is corrosive enough to burn through clothing, contains lead, and can cause cancer if inhaled. Still, citing code 010 309 EWC, MAL Magyar Aluminum is stating that the sludge is not considered toxic waste by current European Union pollution standards.
The sludge is estimated at taking up to a year to clean up. Furthermore, this tragedy in Hungary can extend well into the future. It can also affect future generations to come as the heavy metals from the sludge will sink to the bottom of the Marcal and Danube.
The problem does not just affect Hungary. As the Marcal River carries it into the Danube, the toxic waters cross borders.
I'm writing to urge you to help create stricter industrial emissions policies for the European Union before tragedy like this strikes again.
