In Avellino, a few steps from the Fenestrelle stream and the branch office of the Pietro Colletta National Boarding School, there is a serious environmental and health hazard: Eternit pipes abandoned for months in Via Zigarelli. Protected only by a blue plastic sheet and some white-red tape, this hazardous waste lies illegally in the area, despite a previous municipal ordinance that ordered its urgent removal.
Antonio Di Gisi, president of Legambiente Avellino – Alveare, pointed the finger at the immobility of the institutions: “In the first days of September, the presence of the pipes was reported by IrpiniaTv. On September 5, 2024, Mayor Laura Nargi issued an ordinance for the safety of the waste, but nothing has changed. We reported everything to the Prosecutor's Office and the Carabinieri Forestali and asked the Municipality of Avellino for clarification on this unacceptable situation”.
Di Gisi also highlighted the dangers of asbestos, recalling Eurostat data from 2021: “Italy has recorded the highest number of preventable mesothelioma deaths in Europe, with 518 victims. It is essential to immediately reclaim the territories and register the structures still containing eternit to make them safe”.
Antonio Dello Iaco, vice-president of Legambiente Avellino, highlighted the lack of structural interventions in the Fenestrelle Park area: "The situation is increasingly critical. The more you explore the area, the more you find illegal dumps and spills. It is not acceptable to intervene only in emergencies, without planning remedial actions".
Legambiente Avellino has been calling for years for the establishment of an environmental consultation, provided for by the Municipal Statute, to collaborate with the administration and improve the management of environmental emergencies. “During the election campaign, Mayor Nargi promised to establish it. We hope that within the first weeks of 2025 this consultation will become reality”, concludes Dello Iaco.
Article published on 12 December 2024 - 11:19
It is truly a shame that no one seems to be interested in this issue. The abandoned Eternit pipes in Via Zigarelli can lead to serious problems for public health and the environment. I hope that the authorities act soon.