Toxic Sludge Flood in Hungary - Essay Example

Hungary Toxic Sludge Flood As the world has developed many concerns regarding the well being of society have risen. These concerns are either related to man-made havocs or some natural shifts in the structure of the world. Industrialization has been carried out by human beings to improve the living standards of the people. Industries and plants serve to assist in providing people with the things that they require but they have also served to increase the rate of pollution in the world. Industrial wastes and the emissions are one form of the pollution whereas on the other hand, industrial accidents can also result in damaging the environment and this ecological damage can also serve to leave long lasting effects. The toxic sludge which was spilled from an industrial unit in Hungary near Ajka is one such recent event which has raised many environmental concerns. This toxic sludge flood which originated in Hungary is a serious ecological problem because it has served to risk the lives of many people leading to their dislocation as well as the very high chances of destroying the marine life and hence affecting almost 12 countries on the world map. This paper will focus upon the concerns raised due to this flood as well as the devastation that has occurred so far due to it and the progress that has been done with regard to this environmental problem. An environmental accident hit Hungary on 4th October 2010 when the wall of the aluminum plant, Ajkai Timfoldgyar which is owned by MAL Zrt collapsed and led to spilling of the toxic contents which were released. The wall of the reservoir contained the byproducts of the plant and the spillage was a very severe one reaching to a level of 700,000 cubic feet and encompassing an area of 40 square kilometer (Dunai, 2010).This spill led to the loss of human lives and six people died as a result of this toxic spill. Not only this, another person succumbed to the injuries and was reported dead in the hospital. Whereabouts of many people are also not known and hence the probabilities for the rise in the death tolls is also present (Thorpe, 2010). Injuries have also been reported with the number of the injured being as high as 150. A large number of villages have been affected near the site which includes the villages of Kolontar, Devecser and other villages in their vicinity. This has led to the displacement many people from their homes and hence largely affected their living. The severity of the issue was explained by the Prime Minister Viktor Orban when he said "It is difficult to find the words. Had this happened at night, everybody would be dead." His words serve to explain the graveness of the situation and the fact that the death could have highly increased if this disaster had occurred in the night as it was of a very high severity (Dunai, 2010). The sludge has moved the people emotionally as well and many people do not consider it safe to go back to their houses in the villages. The people living in the villages were in shock due to the unexpected accident and the difficulties it had caused for them (Villagers despair in Hungary's red wasteland, 2010 and Tran, 2010). The issue is not only restricted to Hungary but the officials in the European Union have presented the fact that this spill could affect the aquatic life and the waters in around 12 countries of the region. This is because the river Danube is at high risk of being contaminated by these contents and this river is one of the very longest rivers in the continent and it is home to many aquatic species (Tran, 2010). The toxic spill has even affected the marine life and the deaths of the aquatic species have been reported in the Raba, the Mosoni-Danube and the Marcal River. The alkalinity in these rivers has greatly increased and hence altered the normal equilibrium that existed in these rivers and affected the species in these rivers. Images of dead fishes have been reported from these places which explain the impact of the toxic spill. There are chances of the contamination of Danube which will serve to increase the environmental impact of this spill due to the effect it will lay on the rivers of other countries in Europe. The concerned authorities are trying their best to limit the situation by trying to reduce the pH of the rivers by the addition of acidic substances which included plaster and acetic acid (Dunai, 2010). This toxic sludge flood will lay an impact on the ground and raise the presence of heavy metals which can be hazardous to the health of the people in the area as well as the relief workers (Thorpe, 2010). The spill has also laid risks on the economic sector of the country and concerns are present due to the fact that the closure of the company will lead to the loss of jobs for as many as 3000 people (Villagers despair in Hungary's red wasteland, 2010). The owners of the plant denied any negligence on their part and claimed that they had taken all necessary measures and checks had also been done and there had been no weaknesses found in the reservoir. They also claimed that their construction of the reservoir was safe. They also defended themselves on the basis of the fact that sludge which was released from the breaking of the reservoir was not marked as a toxic waste according to the policy of the European Union. Their justifications were met with criticism from the authorities and considered to be invalid (Tran, 2010). The Hungarian state started its efforts to overcome this issue and catastrophe that struck the country. The authorities started work to stabilize and protect Danube and the other rivers. The work for the construction of a dam to prevent a second spill was also initiated on emergency basis owing to the risk that a second spill might also occur and increase the devastation. Many engineers and workers were sent to complete this work to prevent any further damage and losses. Not only this, it was decided in the parliament of the country to take over the plant and the chief executive of this plant, Zoltan Bakony was also arrested for the purpose of questioning. The company was also expected to be fined on heavy basis and the government planned to take over the company to prevent the unemployment that would actually result due to the closure of the company. The plan to take over the company was limited until all compensation for the losses had been completed and paid. Not only this, experts in the field of environment from the European Union are assisting the people of Hungary to understand the impact that this spill had on the soil as well as the ground and air in the area of the spill (Hungary emergency toxic sludge dam 'almost completed', 2010 & Hungary: Toxic spill factory chief executive arrested, 2010). Thus, this spill in Hungary has laid long term effects for the people who have affected due to it. This spill has led to the dislocation of a large number of people and has led to the loss of many lives as well as injuries. It has affected the rivers in the country killing the marine life and risks for the contamination of Danube also exist which will worsen the situation and result in the contamination of many rivers in Europe. The government has taken measures to overcome this problem and the Hungarian government has received assistance from the European Union. Works Cited Dunai, Marton. “Toxic Hungarian sludge spill reaches River Danube.” REUTERS. 7 Oct 2010. “Hungary emergency toxic sludge dam 'almost completed'” BBC NEWS. 12 Oct 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11526005 “Hungary: Toxic spill factory chief executive arrested” BBC NEWS. 11 Oct 2010. Thorpe, Nick. “Toxic sludge carpets homes in Hungary” BBC NEWS. 8 Oct 2010. Tran, Mark.“Hungary toxic sludge heading towards the Danube.” Theguardian. 6 Oct 2010. “Villagers despair in Hungary's red wasteland.” BBC NEWS. 12 Oct 2010. Read More