Sicily's petrochemical hub faces environmental and health crises

The Sicilian coastline between Priolo, Melilli, and Augusta, which hosts Italy’s largest petrochemical hub, is facing significant environmental and health challenges. Local residents and groups such as Legambiente and the Stop Veleni committee have raised concerns regarding incomplete environmental remediation, compromised ecosystems, and the impact of industrial activities on public health.

Data from the NOSE application, developed by CNR and ARPA to monitor olfactory disturbances, shows that 92 percent of nearly 6,000 reports in 2025 originated from this petrochemical area. Additionally, the IAS purifier in Priolo remains a point of contention; despite being seized by the judiciary in 2022 on charges of environmental disaster, it has remained operational due to its perceived necessity for industrial production, leading to ongoing legal and institutional disputes.