The environmental observatory is created to support the municipality on PFAS pollution
It will promote initiatives of analysis, information and training of citizens
The environmental observatory on the risk of pollution from PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other pollutants is created. An organization supporting the Municipality of Vicenza for information, training and communication. The objective is to address the problem with a scientific, transparent and community-involved approach.
The Observatory was presented this morning by the mayor Giacomo Possamai and the environment councilor Sara Baldinato. They presented it together with the three experts appointed by the mayor to form the coordination and policy table which outlines the objectives and intervention actions. The experts are: the president of the city council with responsibility for health and well-being Massimiliano Zaramella, the university professor Sara Bogialli and the lawyer Edoardo Bortolotto.
Possamai: dialogue and information on PFAS
«That of PFAS – is the mayor’s comment Giacomo Possamai – it is a story that has touched everyone. The establishment of a formal Observatory in which people of great depth and competence who have been studying the phenomenon for some time participate, demonstrates the municipal administration’s desire to pay attention to the evolution of this problem, also in view of the TAV construction sites. The experts will help us communicate with the competent bodies. But also to ask for and read scientific data correctly and make them available to all citizens.”
The emergence of PFAS pollution in the Vicenza area dates back to 2013. The area of the Municipality of Vicenza is partially affected by the contamination: the western area of Vicenza is in fact located in the “orange” area. That is, the one where excesses of PFAS were detected in the autonomous collections surveyed.
Making the water supply plants in the municipal area safe from emerging pollutants such as PFAS is an objective of the 2023-2028 Mandate Program Lines, approved by the Municipal Council on 27 July 2023.
PFAS pollution: tasks and objectives of the Observatory
Within this context, the municipal council has given the green light to the creation of the Observatory, whose specific objectives will materialize in collecting information from the competent bodies on the possible sources of pollution from PFAS and other pollutants and their possible diffusion in the municipal area of Vicenza. Disseminate this information within the municipal administration, also by supporting internal training initiatives, and support the work and analysis of the offices in dealing with matters relating to the topic. Collect the results of monitoring to detect the presence of pollutants in surface water, groundwater, air and soil samples and ensure their diffusion.
But also providing correct information to citizens on the impact of PFAS on human health and local ecosystems; collaborate with the relevant bodies in identifying the measures necessary to protect public health; inform and coordinate with the municipal administration in case of news of possible pollution, to obtain all the necessary information and identify possible risk prevention actions.
Observatory skills and collaboration
- The Observatory will be able to be assisted in its purposes by experts in environmental chemistry, biology, geology, medicine and engineering for the collection of data coming from the institutions and to suggest the possible alerting of the municipal administration in case of possible episodes of pollution of the environmental matrices analyzed.
- It may suggest to the municipal administration to request interventions to modify or strengthen the monitoring network, to ensure effective coverage of the areas at risk.
- It will support the administration in creating a system for the analysis and dissemination of the data collected, ensuring transparency and public access.
- It will implement actions of comparison and collaboration with the institutions and bodies responsible for monitoring and protecting the environment and public health. The discussion will aim to identify and disseminate the best policies, recommendations for pollution mitigation, risk management practices and information to citizens.
The Observatory is structured into a Coordination and Steering Committee which outlines the objectives and intervention actions.
The members of the Coordination and Steering Committee are appointed by the mayor, and provide their collaboration free of charge.
The Coordination and Steering Committee refers to the environment councilor as a coordination figure and makes use of the administrative support of the Environment and Heritage Sector.
Members of the Coordination and Steering Committee appointed by the mayor
Massimiliano Zaramella
President of the city council and the mayor has delegated him to follow the issues of health and well-being of citizens. He is the medical director of Aulss 8 Berica, responsible for the simple operational unit of emergency vascular and endovascular surgery. He is co-founder and past president of the Objective Ippocrate association. Point of reference among doctors, hospitals and institutions for the promotion of the free exercise of the medical profession and on issues relating, in particular, to professional liability.
Former coordinator of a pool of around thirty doctors who served in the three new departments set up by Aulss 8 Berica to deal with the second pandemic wave.
The President of the Republic appointed him a knight of the Order “Al Merito della Repubblica Italiana” on 27 December 2020.
Sara Bogialli
Full professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Padua, he is responsible for projects and laboratories and president of bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
She is expert in the development of analytical methodologies and devices for the analysis of organic and inorganic compounds in environmental, food, and biochemical and clinical matrices and in instrumental analysis procedures, with a focus on mass spectrometry.
He is a member of the “Third Mission” commission of the Chemistry Department of the University of Padua and of the II study subcommission “analytical methods” within the permanent study committee for the revision of the “reference analytical methods for waters intended for human consumption.
He is an expert in charge of the “National Group for the management of cyanobacteria risk in water intended for human consumption” with which he developed the first guidelines.
Edoardo Bortolotto
Lawyer with many years of experience in environmental criminal law and labor law. He oversaw the establishment of civil parties in environmental trials in the name and on behalf of some of the most representative environmental associations at national level. He has experience in criminal trials for serious environmental crimes. Among these: (unnamed disaster, environmental disaster, water pollution, pollution, failure to clean up, illicit waste trafficking. In addition to murder and injuries attributable to contamination by toxic substances, asbestos, chromium, PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances etc..) Administrative experience (appeals to the TAR and Extraordinary Appeals to the Head of State) on environmental matters. Experience in drafting law, participation in the formation of the so-called “ecoreati” legislation, law no. 68 of 05.22.2015.
Vicenza, 21 June 2024
Source: Vicenza Municipality Press Office
