Finchimica executives face trial over alleged environmental pollution

The Brescia Prosecutor's Office has requested the indictment of three executives from Finchimica for alleged environmental pollution at the company's Manerbio plant. The investigation suggests that environmental contamination has persisted for nearly twenty years, potentially due to insufficient maintenance and repair efforts intended to save costs.

According to investigators, leaks from the facility began as early as 2007, affecting groundwater and spreading approximately 500 meters beyond the industrial site. Detected substances include manganese, fluorides, nitrates, arsenic, sulfates, chloroform, and dichloroethylene. In some instances, concentrations significantly exceeded legal limits, such as chlorobenzotrifluoride, which was reportedly found at 4,000 mg/kg against a limit of 21 mg/kg. The contamination also reportedly affected soil within the plant due to high hydrocarbon concentrations.