Wołomin chemical waste dump poses imminent environmental hazard

The illegal waste site on Łukasiewicz Street 11 in Wołomin, Poland, contains thousands of Mauser drums filled with toxic, corrosive chemicals. The regional Environmental Protection Inspectorate (Wojewódzki Inspektorat Ochrony Środowiska) has classified the condition of the containers as "critical," noting corrosion, frequent leaks, the presence of harmful volatile organic compounds in the air and a strong chemical odor. Fire‑brigade crews have been called to several incidents of leaking and overturned drums.

Mayor Elżbieta Radwan warned that extreme heat forecasts of up to 39 °C could increase the risk of a catastrophic rupture, threatening the nearby town centre and the Czarna River. The municipality estimates the cost of safe disposal at several hundred million zlotys, which it cannot afford, and is seeking national government assistance while a criminal investigation into the illegal dumping continues.