Illegal landfill of hazardous waste in Livorno area

The military personnel of the Carabinieri Command for Environmental Protection and Energy Security – Ecological Operations Unit of Grosseto identified three areas in Rosignano Marittimo, province of Livorno, Italy, which were being used as an illegal landfill site. These areas were the subject of unauthorised recovery and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous special waste. The waste material comprised disused metal gas cylinders, materials resulting from construction and demolition activities, depleted lead batteries for automotive traction, equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons, and metal drums and tanks contaminated by hazardous substances. The waste was found to be abandoned in direct contact with the bare ground, with potential pollution of the soil, subsoil, and aquifers. The areas in question were subjected to a preventive seizure, and the owner was reported to the relevant judicial authorities for alleged environmental crimes.