The Seveso environmental disaster represents a tragic reminder of the importance of industrial safety and the possible consequences of chemical accidents

In July 1976 , the Lombard population was experiencing a difficult period, like all Italians, caught between terrorism, which made armed struggle a means of destabilizing institutions and social life, between the economic crisis which put jobs and increased inflation, amidst the political arguments that regularly recurred, giving a sense of distrust and bewilderment to the citizens and amidst the sadness for the victims and displaced persons of the earthquake in Friuli, which had occurred two months earlier.

July 1976 was a hot, muggy month, where daily activities were made more difficult by the high temperatures, mitigated only by the idea that after a few weeks the Italians would go on holiday.

But on July 10, in Seveso , a town in the Milanese hinterland , the unthinkable happened , in a factory that produced chemical products, ICMESA , a subsidiary of the Swiss chemical company Hoffmann-La Roche.

An uncontrolled reaction was created in a company reactor which led to the release of a large quantity of dioxin TCDD (tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) into the atmosphere.

The dioxin quickly disperses in the areas surrounding the factory, extending over approximately 18 square kilometres, contaminating the soil, the air, the animals and the population.

As is known, the hinterland of Milan has a very high population density and Seveso, which was part of it, was hit by dioxin, exposing around 37,000 people to the infection .

Italy found itself vulnerable to industrial accidents of this magnitude, but in reality, even in Europe all industrial activities dealing with dangerous products were viewed with apprehension.

Many animals died in the days following the release of the poison, the land and agricultural crops were impregnated with dioxin and people, after a few days, began to show skin allergies, known as "chloracne" , which is a clear symptom of exposure to the dioxin.

The impact of a chemical disaster of this size pushed the government to transfer the population living near the factory to other housing areas, to remove contaminated land and to cull livestock intended for meat production.

What is dioxin, how is it produced and why is it dangerous

Dioxin is a general term that refers to a group of chlorinated organic chemical compounds that tend to persist in the environment for long periods of time.

They can be produced as an unwanted by-product in various industrial processes, such as the production of chlorine and some chlorine derivatives, as a component for the production of herbicides and pesticides, in the production of paper and pulp through chlorine-based processes.

But dioxins can also form during waste incineration, especially if they contain chlorine. This includes the incineration of municipal solid waste, medical waste and hazardous waste.

They are toxic to humans and can cause a variety of health problems. Even at low doses, with long-term exposure, it can lead to immune, endocrine, nervous and reproductive problems.

Exposure to dioxin, as happened in Seveso in 1976, has had various effects on the health of the local population.

While the immediate effects were quite evident, the long-term effects only became clear through studies and monitoring carried out over many years.

Chloracne

This is one of the most obvious and immediate manifestations of exposure to dioxin, in fact chloracne is a serious form of acne caused by chemicals

Long-term health problems

Subsequent studies have shown an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension.

Carcinogenicity

Studies conducted in subsequent years showed a slight increase in some types of cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, among people living in the most contaminated areas.

Reproductive effects

There was some evidence of a slight increase in premature and low birth weight births among women exposed to dioxin.

Endocrine alterations

Dioxins are known as endocrine disruptors, which means they can cause disruption to the normal functioning of the endocrine system. This can lead to a number of problems, including reproductive and developmental ones.

Immune effects

Dioxin can have a suppressive effect on the immune system, which can increase the growth of several diseases.

Stay

Once released into the environment, dioxins are extremely stable and can persist for long periods of time. This means that they can accumulate in the food chain, especially in the fatty tissues of animals.

Bioaccumulation

Dioxins tend to accumulate in living organisms, so by eating contaminated animals, humans can accumulate toxic concentrations of dioxins in their bodies.

What environmental laws were adopted following the Seveso disaster

The accident that occurred in the ICMESA factory had a profound impact on the perception of industrial risks and led to a strengthening of environmental regulations, especially in Europe.

The best-known and most direct legislative change in Italy was the promulgation of the European Union's Seveso Directive.

Seveso I Directive (82/501/EEC)

Adopted in 1982, it was the first legislative response at European level to the Seveso disaster. It obliged Member States to identify industrial facilities with a high risk of serious accidents and to ensure that these facilities have adequate emergency plans, including informing surrounding communities of the risks.

Seveso II Directive (96/82/EC)

Introduced in 1996, the Seveso II Directive extended and strengthened the provisions of the original Seveso Directive. In particular, it expanded the range of industrial activities covered by the directive and introduced new requirements for accident prevention and emergency planning.

He also placed greater emphasis on communication with the public and public participation in emergency planning.

Seveso III Directive (2012/18/EU)

Adopted in 2012, the Seveso III Directive further updated and strengthened the rules relating to the prevention of serious industrial accidents.

Among the main innovations, the new directive introduced changes in the classification of dangerous substances and strengthened the provisions relating to public access to information and public participation.