THANKS TO THE INTEREST OF THE NATIONAL ASBESTOS OBSERVATORY, THE SOCIAL BASEMENT OF BAZZANO IN CASTELFRANCO EMILIA HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ASBESTOS. LOCAL PEOPLE HAVE LONG FEARED THE EFFECTS OF ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN DETERIORED BY BOTH WEATHER AND FIRE, WHICH COULD GREATER SPREAD THE HAZARDOUS ASBESTOS FIBERS.
The reclamation of the eternity of the former social winery Bazzano, in Castelfranco Emilia (Modena), has been completed. An important milestone for the local population, who have long been concerned about the risk of asbestos in the now dilapidated structure.
The residents of this Emilian town had for some time feared the consequences of the asbestos cement roofing, which was now worn out and potentially dangerous.
The first alarm dates from August 2023, when theNational Asbestos Observatory (ONA)warned by the residents, reported the deterioration of the old cellar. The ONA has submitted the applicationARPAE and to AUSL an urgent intervention to evaluate and reduce the risks of exposure to hazardous asbestos fibres.
“The right to health is fundamental – he stated at the time: Mirko Zanoliof the board of ONA Emilia Romagna –; because in the event of illness, or even worse, death, every other right is lost, with tragic consequences also for the family members. I think of the many orphaned children of asbestos victims.”
Urgent remediation required
Following the report, authorities conducted inspections and began monitoring to measure the concentration of fibers in the air. Determining the level of danger in the electrical environmentdue to the need for urgent remediation.
The abandoned structure served as a shelter for the area’s homeless, who lit fires to warm themselves during the cold winter nights. One of these fires may have caused the fire at the former Bazzano winery in December 2023.
Thanks to the quick intervention of the fire brigade, the flames were extinguished before the dangerous asbestos fibers could become airborne, preventing potentially devastating consequences. The burning of asbestos actually spreads the fiber in the air, increasing the risk of inhalation, with serious health consequences such as irreversible lung lesions and asbestos-related pathologies.
Zanoli again intervened in the case and stated that “We already filed a complaint with the GGD and the municipality in August, we suspect the presence of possibly harmful asbestos: five months after the complaint, nothing has been done. We understand, among other things, that there are also some stragglers living in the structure. We must intervene as soon as possible.”
An important success for the health of citizens and the environment
The recent completion of the land reclamation works finally responds to residents’ requests. “There was a lot of asbestos present – stated the coordinator of ONA Emilia Romagna – and we are satisfied with this result. This is an important success for the health of citizens and the environment, achieved thanks to the tenacity of the residents of Castelfranco Emilia and our continued commitment.”
The lawyer Ezio BonanniChairman of the National Asbestos Observatory, reiterated the value of this result and underlined the urgency of a preventive approach across the country: “The right to health is protected by Article 32 of the Constitution, and the possible presence of asbestos would constitute a serious violation of this right, which belongs to every human being and which constitutes a collective interest.”