Asopos is a river that rises in Viotia and discharges into the South Euboea Gulf in Greece, about 60 km north of Athens.Forty years ago, in 1969, through a Presidential Decree, issued by the Military Government (Junta) that ruled Greece at the time, Asopos was proclaimed a Processed Industrial Waste receiver. The river the Ancient Greeks worshiped as a god (Asopos was Poseidon’s son) was unfortunate enough to run through areas that turn out almost 20% of Greece’s total industrial production. Today, Asopos’ waters receive waste from hundreds of industries, situated at a nearby Industrial area. Nevertheless, only a slight amount of water reaches its estuary. The texture of the soil absorbs the largest part of the water, including all the industrial waste, and spreads it to the whole underground water. This results to a possibly irreversible pollution of a huge area with various waste, amongst which heavy metals, including the renowned due to recent publicity, Hexavalent Chromium. This is an element that causes cancer and/or mutations. The water from the springs, the fountains and the drillings in this whole area is no longer suitable for any human use, neither drinking nor cooking, bathing and washing clothes, not even for watering plants! Hundreds of thousands of residents inhabit the area, especially during the summer. All these people have been consuming water for years, without ever having been officially informed of the hazards, until early this summer (2007). Recently, after 3 adjournments and a delay of 6 years, a trial took place. 10 out of 18 defendants were acquitted due to misrecorded data! For those convicted, the highest punishment was the ridiculous amount of EURO 5000 as a fine! Various reportings have revealed that some industries open up drillings and convey inside all their waste- directly into the underground water! We request that the Greek Government, the Greek Parliament, the European Community Authorities and every other qualified service take all necessary measures and actions in order to insure the restoration of Asopos river, as well as the indemnification of all the problems (health related, economical, environmental) the residents are facing due to this situation.

1. THE ASOPOS RIVER TRAGEDY
For not sleeping in peace tonight…

9. • 3 prefectures (Attica,Viotia, Evia)
• Over 200.000 residents
• Nearly 1.000.000 every summer
• Athens is only 50-60 km away
and…
•This area produces 1/3 of the Greece
GDP

10.  In 1969Asopos river was characterized as treated
industrial waste recipient
 SouthViotia teritory, round Asopos river, started
accepting polluting industries leaving Athens
territory

13.  Big polluting industry units “are thrown
altogether” in the region
 The territory has not been yet
characterized as an industrial
one!!!

19. Metallurgy

20. Metallurgy- Chemicals

21. Metallurgy- Chemicals-Cosmetics

22. Metallurgy- Chemicals-Cosmetics-Food Processing

23. Metallurgy- Chemicals-Cosmetics-Food Processing-Warehouses

24. Metallurgy- Chemicals-Cosmetics-Food Processing-Warehouses-Plantations

25. Streets and infrastructures? Draining system? NOTHING AT ALL

26.  In 1979 some standards regarding the waist
disposals in Asopos were defined.
 There was not any state inspectorate
mechanism to supervise their strict elaboration.
 These standards are outrun nowadays and not
consistent to the newer legal provisions in force.
 Chromium upper limits were defined to
2200μgr/l – today's quality goal is considered up
to 50μgr/l

27. Inter-Perfectural 1979

28.  State inspectorate mechanism is absent from
1969 until 2007.
 Industries dump into Asopos river their
untreated toxic waist without any inspection.
They also dump them into wells and drillings,
polluting the basin directly!

40.  There is no comprehensive
management of the special solid
industrial waist produced

46.  The same is happening with the special air
pollutants produced as well.

57.  Until 2004 drinking water’s analyses in Inofita
town were cofined in microbiological and
routine chemical tests, as if there weren’t any
industries in the region.

58. Inofita drinking water analyses by
University of Patra

59.  November 2004
 Chromium was traced in the pump up
drinking water
 In parallel, the aquiferous found to contain
lead, nitric and chlorium elements.

60. Drinking water of Inofita analyses by the National
General Chemical Laboratory on November 19, 2004

61.  The only measure taken by the co-
competent authorities was
“elimination through dilution”

62. State’s position on 01-06-2006 (answer to
congerman’s inter-pellation).

63.  No one restoring action taken.
 No investigation towards the origin and the
indetification of Chromium traced (hexavalent-
trivalent)
 No special research aw to any correlation
between aquiferous pollution and local industrial
activity.
 Form mid 2005 until 2007 the monitoring of the
drinking water quality stopped and any analyses
ceased

64. The State
Mechanism...
 States
mechanisms’
inactivity triggers
the development of
the Local Citizens’
movement.

65.  Citizens organize and coordinate their
reactions.
 Thanassis Panteloglou plays a definitive role
for Inofita.
 The Knowledge spread which he started and
continuous since revered the facts

68.  In 2007 analyses of drinking water
by the National General Chemical
Laboratory, started again.
 In 08-08-2007 is revealed that the
95% of the total Chromium is the
hexavalent compount.

69. At the same time…
somewhere near…

70.  Oikologio environmental portal
http://www.oikologio.gr
 6,8 million hits and growing
 AsoposSOS http://AsoposSOS.wordpress.com
 82.000 hits, @ 1,5 year
 600+ articles
 1000+ photos
 50+ scientific documents
 Numerous links to sources
 ONE STOP SHOP for Asopos River Pollution Problem

73. From the site: http://www.chem.uoa.gr/chemicals/chem_cr6.htm
Cr(VI) components are characterized as: Highly toxic, Carcinogens
(Carc. Cat. 1), Mutagens (Muta. Cat. 2), Hazardous to the reproductive
system (Repr. Cat. 2), Oxidatives and dangerous for the environment.
Metallic Chromium
Chromite sample, Fe(Mg)Cr2O4
(Trivalent Chromium ore) Crocoites Sample, PbCrO4
(Hexavalent chromium ore)

74.  Contaminated territories: Oropos, Chalcoutsi, Sikamino,
Schematari, Dilesi, Avlis,Tanagra, Asopia,Thiva.
 Hexavalent Chromium concentration ranged form 10 to
330μgr/lt

77.  Greek State does not admit the
term “Eventual risk” for the
health, because of heavy metals
presence in water used by
humans
Citizens
don’t
worry...

78.  Ministerial decreeY2-2006-01 on the Quality of
water for Human consumption animated by the
principles of prevention was never implemented.
Article 4 . 1
For the purposes of the minimum requirements of this Directive, water intended for
human consumption shall be wholesome and clean if it:
(a) is free from any micro-organisms and parasites and from any substances which, in
numbers or concentrations, constitute a potential danger to human health, and
(b) meets the minimum requirements set out in Annex I, Parts A and B;
Article 8 . 3
Whether or not any failure to meet the parametric values has occurred,
Member States shall ensure that any supply of water intended for human
consumption which constitutes a potential danger to human health is
prohibited or its use restricted or such other action is taken as is necessary to
protect human health. In such cases consumers shall be informed promptly
thereof and given the necessary advice.

79.  The Perfecture never interfected.
 The region was not decleard to be in an emergency
state neither any emergency measures were taken.
 Ministerial decree 13588-725-2006 articles 12 and 13.

80.  There was not any effective
informative effort to the
citizens.
 Only exception the mass Media
especially SKAI channel and
radio.

81.  Polluted water if floating in the pipes of the water
networks.
 The reason for that attitude according to our opinion:
1. The preservation of the –so called- “social peace”.
2. Avoiding any burst of economic crisis.
3. Manufacturers’ protection.
 Human Health and Life occupy the bottom of
the List.

82.  No toxicological examination took place
regarding the people exposed to Cr 6 for many
years, for their health protection from now on.
 Cancer as cause of death has dramatically
increased over the last fifteen years.

84. Most countries accept upper limits of Chromium in drinking water
the point of 50μgr/l. These levels are considered safe as for the
toxic oxidative effect of Cr6 but not concerning the protection
from the mutagenic-carcinogenic effect.
Concerning carcinogenetic substances there are not any safe limits
of exposure; on contrary prevails the principle: “The lower the
exposure the smaller the incidence”.
The Physicians Society of Thiva, because of the above
mentioned dangers for the health of our Prefecture citizens,
is unable to accept the rationale of setting limits concerning
the carcinogen Cr6 in the drinking water.
Bulletin to the Press issued by the Physicians
Society of Thiva 01/11/07

85.  The effect of the water pollution on:
1. the agricultural products (fruit, vegetables,
meat, dairy, poultry)
2. Processed food
has not been valuated!

88.  The purification of Asopos has been
characterized as a National Importance Act by
the Ministry of Environment and PublicWorks.
 A theater performance started then, with
bulldozers in Asopos river bends “revealing”
arbitrary pipes and illegal methods of dumping
waist straight in to wells.

99.  Then some litle millions of Euro
were shared among Municipalities
presenting total water Chromium
concentrations of more than 50μgr/l
in order to be connected with the
ΕΥΔΑΠ water network.

100.  Some “routine” inspections by the ΕΥΕΠ
begun conducting.
 Some small monetary penalties were
imposed without any deterrent effect.
 There was not identification of the
responsible polluters.
 The principal “the polluter pays” was never
applied.

101. Alluminco AE 250.000
Europa Profil Αλουμίνιο 200.000
Ελβαλ ΑΕ 180.000
Μαΐλης ΑΕΒΕ 160.000
ICR Ιωάννου ΑΒΕΕ 77.800
Berling AEBEE 62.000
BA Αρσενίδης ΑΕΒΕ 1.200
Eτεμ ΑΕ 54.000
Viometale AEBE 53.000
Βαφική ΑΕ 50.000
Europa Profil Αλουμίνιο ΑΒΕ 47.000
Profilco AE 36.000
Γαλβανιστήρια Ελλάδος ΑΒΕΕ 32.400
Επαλμε ΑΕ 32.000
Προταλ ΑΕΒΕΕ 26.000
Μαστερσολ ΕΠΕ 22.000
Sirca Hellas ABEE 11.700
Στεργίου Πετρ. Νικόλαος 6.500
Τυποχημική ABEE 32.400
November 2007
The first fines (€)

102.  Ministry for the
Environment, Physical
Planning and Public Works
 The fines are “extremely big”
 The fines are “colosseum”
 November 2007: “I stress that in case of
relapse or non-compliance with
environmental licenses in any of these
businesses, will result suspension of works”

103.  Today, 18 months after the statement , all
pollutants still operate normally, even
those that have already fined 3, 4 times
 Today, we cannot still identify and connect
the presence of Cr(6) and other heavy
metals in the Asopos River Basin with the
pollutants.

104.  Do you want to know the HUGE FINES?
 0,08% of the revenues
 2,39% of the profits
 * Data from the statements of the enterprises
for the financial year 2006
Name Revenue 2006 Profits 2006 Fine
% of
revenue
% of
profits
TOTAL (Euro) 2.224.453.454 71.347.000 1.703.000 0,08% 2,39%

105. Mars 2009
Ministry of
Environment
“Asopos river is
CLEAN now”

106.  The Public Administration Inspector Mr. Rakintzis in charge
of the license issue process.
1. Three concompetent Ministries, three different approaches
about the license process to the industries –Too many Laws.
2. Not adjustment to National and European legal provisions.

107. Other Institutions who have studied the problem;
 Greek Chemists Association
 ΙΓΜΕ – Institute gor Geologic and
Mining Research
 Agricultural University
 Athens University
All verifying the worst
senaria.

108. Newspaper “TA NEA”

109.  The Hellenic Chamber ofTechnology in a press
bulletin issued on 11/20/2008 says, among others,
that “No one of the substantial propositions the
inspector of public Administration has proposed,
seems likely to be materialized...
 The licenses to the industries continue to be issued
via older processes, harshly ignoring modern Greek
and European legislation.
 Mainly ignored is the resolution H.P. 13588/725
“Measures Conditions and Restrictions concerning
dangerous waist disposed according to the
provisions of the European guidance 91/689”

110. THE GREEK OMBUDSMAN
 Annual report 2008
... Society does not believe that authorities are able to ensure a
better tomorrow. Mistrust, that stems from the belief that the
authorities have long ceased to serve the public interest, in
contrary, the try to satisfy the interests of third, of private or of
corporate nature.
In this category of cases typically involved the local authorities
(Municipalities), usually because they are avoid the inspections
that are required by law to carry out.
Abstention often astonishing, that it can not be attributed to
mere negligence, but in some kind of unlawful transaction of
elected representatives of local government to individuals that
breaking the law...

111. October 2007
Mayor of Inofita: “The river is clean”

113. 7-05-2008
 Municipality of Inofita did not
address to justice.
 Mayor does not execute the
decisions of the Municipal Council

114.  Oropos
 “Our water can be bottled
and sold as mineral water!”
 Pre-election leaflet promises: Connection with
central Athens water Network
 After Elections:Visits and photos with our
pollutants

115. But why? :Greenwashing
 “the phenomena of socially and
environmentally destructive corporations,
attempting to preserve and expand their
markets or power by posing as friends of the
environment”
 …“Most obviously, greenwashing is
misleading. It attempts to deceive us, making
us think that a company with an awful
environmental track record actually has a
great one…”

116. And when Greenwashing fails?
 “…A Strategic Lawsuit
Against Public
Participation ("SLAPP") is
a lawsuit that is intended
to intimidate and silence
critics by burdening them
with the cost of a legal
defense until they
abandon their criticism or
opposition.Winning the
lawsuit is not necessarily
the intent of the person
filing the SLAPP…”

117. ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTORATE
AUTHORITY
 Another SLAPP case: Margarita
Chondrou-Karavasili
 Ex - Director of the Authority
 When started digging deeper
into Asopos river pollution
problem, she was fired and
replaced
 When spoke to the mass media,
the ministry sue her.

118. Some Scientists and Mass Media role.

119. What is the price for “salvation”?

120. Justice
 Thebes Court Law, 2007
 From 2001 (appeal) to 2007 (trial) due to
continuous postponements
 6 enterprises out of 18 found guilty
 2 found innocent
 10 companies had declared irrelevant employees
as legitimate representatives and the court
returned the papers back for further
examination…
 5000Euros Fine the maximum penalty

121.  ΕΚΠΟΙΖΩ resolution
 Cr 6 in drinking water = potential danger no
matter what the concentration rate.

122. The drinking water distillery in
Inofita: A complete failure.

124.  Electromechanic engineering equipment exposed to
weather condition.
 Chlorium exposed to sunlight
 Water distllery lacks proper technical prescriptions in
order to filtrate sufficiently the incomes.

125.  Nowadays, while the whole issue has gained the
dimentions of a scandal and has been quite
exausted by means of scientific and journalistic
covering, water floating in most municipal water
networks remains intoxicated by hexavalent
chromium and other heavy metals as well, of
industrial origin.
Residents use
bottled water

127. European Union
 2 Cases E.U. took immediately drastic actions:
 Women’s pensions: Leads to 10 to 15 more labor
years!
 Mass Media shareholders should not be also Public
Works/construction companies shareholders.
Leads to corruption!
 Whatever measure is bad, and against the
people’s interests, is forced into action
 Whatever could help them or protect them
delayed or cancelled or the E.U. has no power
to help
 HOW Has the E.U the power to punish the
citizens with 10-15 years more labor time and
at the same time does not have the power and
the authority to protect them from
toxification, potential illness and death?

128. Things to Remember
 Asopos River pollution is a well known, well
documented problem
 Everybody acknowledge the problem
 Nobody really DOES something
 Until now, whatever measures taken, were NOT
enough and CANNOT STOP the pollution
 There is a big difference between theTELLING
and DOING

129. ?The Hellenic State
Our homeland
future