Scandal on Lake Constance: Amcor poisoned the waters with carcinogenic foam!

Scandal on Lake Constance: Amcor poisoned the waters with carcinogenic foam!

In a serious environmental scandal, the packaging company Amcor flexible Rorschach has contaminated Lake Constance with poisonous extinguishing foam between 2020 and 2021. According to reports from Schwäbische , there were a total of two chemical accidents, in which 910 kilograms Foam foam, heavily burdened with the carcinogenic chemical Perfluoroctan sulfonic acid (PFOS), reached the water. These toxic substances have been banned in the EU since 2006 and in Switzerland since 2011 and are considered "eternal drives" that accumulate in the environment and the food chain.

The first incident occurred at the end of December 2020 when a defective slide of the meteorine line 850 kilograms of fire foam came into the Goldach and further into Lake Constance. Two weeks later, a second incident followed, in which another 60 kilograms were released. The authorities only learned from the incidents through a fishing supervisor after he had pushed onto the foam during a drain pipe. Surprisingly, information about the company's incidents failed to do so.

hesitant action and omissions

The investigations revealed that the responsible for the uncontrolled release of the chemicals should be liable. Internal emails showed that the company had already pointed out the need to exchange the dangerous extinguishing foam in 2019, but delayed this. After the accidents, Amcor was sentenced to a fine of CHF 5,000 and a further payment of CHF 28,260 for violations of the Water Protection Act.

The public prosecutor's office of the canton of St. Gallen has initiated investigations against Amcor, but the punishment perceived as too mild was severely criticized by environmental activists. Experts also call for a thorough examination of the long -term consequences for the environment and the drinking water supply of Lake Constance, which is considered one of the largest drinking water storage in Europe.

Current developments and measures

In 2023, serious PFOS concentrations in wild fish were found in the canton of St. Gallen. For example, a fifth of the caught fish showed stressful concentrations, while four out of nine pike samples from Lake Constance exceeded the permissible maximum values. According to Sarah Camenisch from the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary (BLV), both health and economic considerations are included in the determination of these limit values.

To prevent future chemical accidents, the St.Gallen government is planning 13 measures, including stricter controls and higher penalties for environmental offices. However, Amcor has announced that it would invest over CHF 3 million in security measures in order to rule out repetitions of such incidents. Despite these steps, there is concern about residues in the environment and the health risks of the population. Experts underline the need for a comprehensive approach to combat such environmental risks.

The shocking events related to chemical accidents at Amcor underline the importance of responsible handling of dangerous chemicals and the protection of drinking water resources. Watson informed about the subsequent investigations and the challenges that those responsible for enlightenment and prevent such Have to cope with incidents. nau added that the chemicals from the extinguishing foam were already discovered in environmentally harmful areas the seizure of measures.