The state of alarm has been lifted in the Caudina Valley following the large-scale fire that affected plastic materials stored in a warehouse at a company in Airola, near Benevento. New environmental measurements indicate that dioxin and furan levels have fallen below the traceability limit, and the data is now considered stable and consolidated.
The confirmation came from the roundtable coordinated by the prefect of Avellino, Franca Fico, set up after the fire and in which the Fire Brigade, Arpac, ASL and the mayors of the Irpinia municipalities of Partenio involved in the monitoring participate.
The Avellino Local Health Authority (ASL) has also announced that the risk to hygiene and public health has officially been eliminated and that the state of alarm can be considered over.
However, food safety measures remain in place as a precaution. Therefore, checks will continue on crops and livestock on farms in the Caudina and Partenio Valleys, with the aim of determining the possible presence of dioxins, furans, and heavy metals in the soil.
The samples taken will be analyzed by ARPAC, and the results are expected by next Friday. Only after this phase has been completed will it be possible to complete the assessment of the fire's potential effects on agricultural production and livestock in the area.
Details on post-fire safety measures
Here is some useful information regarding the safety measures and controls activated after the fire in Airola.
- Environmental monitoring: Checks on crops and livestock continue to ascertain the presence of dioxins and heavy metals.
- Sample analysis: The samples taken will be analyzed by ARPAC, with results expected by next Friday.
- Health risk: The Avellino Local Health Authority (ASL) has declared that the risk to hygiene and public health has been eliminated.
- Precautionary measures: Food safety measures remain in place until further notice.
