Extraordinary monitoring activities in Gioia Tauro after reports, also relaunched by some press bodies, on the presence of foul -smelling fumes in the municipal area.
On 25 August the Arpacal requested official clarifications under the command of the Fire Brigade, simultaneously informing the Municipality of Gioia Tauro. On the same day the local police confirmed the presence of fumes attributable to probable fuels of plastic materials, in particular in the evening.
The next day, August 26, the Arpacal technicians – Dr. Pasquale creates, dr. Dulio Dieni and Eng. Luciano Minutolo – they met the mayor and municipal councilors, agreeing on the start of a first environmental sampling. A high volume sampler was then installed at a private home for the collection of atmospheric dust intended for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (IPA) and heavy metals, according to the provisions of Legislative Decree 155/2010.
On August 27, the champion was taken and sent to the chemical laboratory of the Reggio Calabria department for analyzes. At the same time, Arpacal and the Municipality have planned the positioning of a mobile laboratory for the day of August 28, so as to expand the monitored parameters and strengthen the environmental garrison.
Meanwhile, the investigative activities of the local police, firefighters and carabinieri remain ongoing to trace the origin of the fumes. Arpacal has ensured maximum collaboration and undertaken to update institutions and citizens as soon as the results of the analyzes are available.