Environmental Crisis: Burning RDF in Volos, Greece

The port city of Volos is located in the center of Greece and for more than a century is
surrounded by factories which cause a great environmental health crisis. Only a few
hundred meters away from the city of Volos and the town of Agria, the AGET-
LAFARGE-HOLCIM cement factory has been licensed to burn 200,000 tons of waste
(RDF) without the proper technology and regulatory mechanism. The toxic smell of
burnt plastic is a common phenomenon in the city of Volos. The unknown origin and
composition of the waste RDF that is constantly transported for incineration to the
AGET peaks the risks to the health of citizens and especially children, with dioxins,
furans, heavy metals and other carcinogens released.
A related research by the Pulmonary Clinic of Volos Hospital in collaboration with
the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Thessaly [1] connects
the cases of pollution with the patients who come the next day, or in the following
days with cardiorespiratory problems at the Hospital of Volos [2]. Furthermore, the
pediatric cases (asthma attacks and respiratory infections) in Volos are increased 30%
when there is increased pollution. The director of the Pulmonary Clinic of the
University Hospital of Larissa, Konstantinos Gourgoulianis [3], pointed out that
exposure to air pollution increases the risk of diseases of the respiratory system. The
COVID-19 pandemic is mainly a disease of the respiratory system, therefore we
realise that the susceptibility and the vulnerability of people [4] who are exposed to
air pollution [5] is increased.
According to a recent (June 2020) report by the research team at the department of
Mechanical Engineering of University of Thessaly, an increased presence of the
dangerous air pollutant PM2.5 was detected in the air in Volos, exceeding WHO’s
standards by 200% and Greek legislation by 20.12% during the 12-month monitoring
period. A recent morbidity and mortality study by the medical school of the
University of Thessaly showed a significant increase in cases of some types of
cancers as well as strokes in Volos and the wider region of Magnesia compared to the
rest of Greece’s average, without however clarifying the causes.
The Municipal Authority of Volos - instead of opposing this environmental
destruction and health crisis, ignores the warnings and supports the operation of the
factory in the context of growth and economic prosperity. At the same time the
Municipality of Volos accuses the citizens' Struggle Committee [6] of cultivating
terror in order to promote diverse interests of few people (!) while the factory
undeterred continues its work.
The locals seem to be ready to escalate their fight. They formed the Citizens' Struggle
Committee [7] and they demand the end of garbage incineration in their city and the
enhancement of waste recycling and reuse. This is their message:
“Be informed, and inform as many as you can. We need you as you need
us. Let's protect what is most valuable for all of us - our life, our health,
for us and for those to come after.”
For more info related to the issue click below:

1. Petition demanding the removal of the solid waste incineration permit (RDF)
from the cement plant. Sign below:
https://secure.avaaz.org/community_petitions/el/Ypoyrgeio_Perivallontos_kai
_Energeias_Nomarhia_Magnisias_Dimos_Voloy_Ohi_stin_Kaysi_Skoypidio
n_apo_tin_AGET/
2. Appeal from the health and healthcare sector in Magnesia region against the
reclassification of incineration in the WFD “The health effects caused by the
waste incineration and derivatives (RDF and SRF) for energy produce”
http://www.ismagnesia.gr/uploads/announcements/pdf/Οι%20επιπτώσεις%20
στην%20Υγεία%20από%20την%20καύση%20απορριμμάτων%20και%20των
%20παραγώγων%20τους.pdf
3. Map of the close location of the AGET-Lafarge factory to the nearest
residential areas: http://epitropiagonavolou.gr/pages/en/map.html
4. Real-time Air Quality Index: https://aqicn.org/station/greece/volos/ανδρέα-
λασκαράτου#/z/13
5. Science conference about Air pollution & COVID-19 (held by the World
Health Organization): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-
coronavirus-2019/media-resources/science-in-5/episode-9---air-pollution-
covid-19
6. Research with title “The role of the chronic air pollution levels in the Covid-
19 outbreak risk in Italy”, authors: Daniele Fattorini and Francesco Regoli

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749120332115?fb
clid=IwAR0nPNZ2yJwm75A0xnWDrqkNmYFLBHaAWNgkNLN_VQ39Eo
TR9W5XDSH02RI

Footnotes:
[1] Press release:
https://www.uth.gr/sites/default/files/news/2020/Deltio_typou_GreenYourAir_Saharidis_Gourgouliani
s_283181848.pdf
[2] https://volos.ert.gr/blog/2019/11/16/volos-paratiritirio-katagrafis-tis-aerias-rypansis-tora/
[3] https://volos.ert.gr/blog/2020/10/15/ayxisi-eos-30-sta-paidiatrika-peristatika-tis-imeres-me-rypansi-
ston-volo/
[4] https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/study-estimates-exposure-to-air-
pollution-increases-covid-19-deaths-by-15-world
[5] https://www.eea.europa.eu/post-corona-planet/covid-19-and-europes-environment
[6] http://epitropiagonavolou.gr/pages/en/index.html
[7] http://epitropiagonavolou.blogspot.com