Sopron asbestos contamination spreads to 44 new sites

Accredited laboratory tests ordered by the Hungarian authorities identified asbestos in 44 additional locations in the Sopron area, adding to the 34 sites previously examined. Mayor Ciprián of Sopron announced the findings, noting that 24 of the new points showed detectable asbestos in rock slurry. The municipality has imposed speed limits and entry bans on the affected streets and is applying calcium‑chloride dust suppression as a temporary measure, while planning to seal the road surfaces pending approval from higher authorities.

The Austrian mining company that supplied the contaminated rock has halted sales to Hungary after a petition by MP Gajdos László. Earlier reports by Greenpeace had highlighted similar asbestos pollution in western Hungary linked to material from Austrian mines. No asbestos‑related illnesses have been reported yet, as health effects typically emerge decades after exposure, but authorities are monitoring the situation closely.

The contamination concerns several towns, including Szombathely and Sopron, and involves coordinated actions by local governments, the national government, and the Austrian company to mitigate the public‑health risk.