They dispersed hexavalent chromium in Western Athens

Experts from the ministry of Environment are attributing the high concentrations of hexavalent chromium detected some weeks ago by the prefecture of West Attica in Aspropyrgos to a nearby industry.

The pollution was detected in a stream at the Syntrivani region, which creates serious suspicion that it is due to hazardous waste being dumped at the specific spot.

Following a complaint, the prefecture sent three samples to the General State Laboratory, in two of which very high concentrations at 170 to 200 micrograms per liter were detected , all related to hexavalent chromium.

The case of industrial pollution keeps on giving a headache for the ministry of the Environment since excluding the bedrock that produces chromium, the major source is the illegal dumping of industrial and hazardous waste.

Equally serious is the problem created by the unchecked industrial development that has turned Thriasio Pedio into a West Attica landfill.

It is estimated that if Viotia contains about 30% of unregistered industries (businesses that work without permission), in the Aspropyrgos region the percentages are much higher.

It is also notable that in the already environmentally burdened area there are a lot of licensed companies of industrial and hazardous waste management.