Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection on the current findings regarding the mass fish kill in the Odra River. “We have submitted a report to the prosecutor’s office”
The Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection presented the current findings regarding the mass fish kill in the Odra River. Speculations about the river being polluted with a substance that is used, among others, have not been confirmed. as a solvent. – I want to clearly emphasize that mesitylene is currently not present in any of the voivodeships – said Magda Gosk, deputy head of the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection.
At the end of July, anglers began to raise alarms about mass fish kills in the Odra River. The problem concerns two voivodeships: Lower Silesia and Lubuskie. There were suspicions that the river may have been contaminated with mesitylene. It is a highly toxic substance, used as a high-octane component of motor gasoline or as a solvent.
The Provincial Inspectorates of Environmental Protection in Wrocław and Zielona Góra informed that the river condition is under constant monitoring, field observations and measurements are carried out, and samples are taken for laboratory tests.
“Mesitylene does not occur in any of the voivodeships”
The public was informed about the current arrangements during a conference organized on Wednesday, August 10 by the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection.
It was emphasized that reports of water contamination with mesitylene have not been confirmed. The prosecutor’s office has already been notified about the case.
– Research conducted by the Central Research Laboratory currently confirms an increase in certain physicochemical parameters of water, such as oxygenation, pH and conductivity. However, I also want to clearly emphasize that there is currently no mesitylene in any of the voivodeships (…) Importantly, we have submitted a notification to the prosecutor’s office – said Magda Gosk, Deputy Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection.
“We take samples every day on every section of the Odra River”
She assured that the institution she represented took action in this matter after the first signals in this matter. The activities are carried out in all five voivodeships through which the Oder River flows and are coordinated with each other.
– We conduct research and take samples every day on every section of the Odra River. Research conducted by the Central Research Laboratory currently confirms an increase in certain physicochemical parameters of water, such as oxygenation, pH and conductivity. We monitor the Odra waters both from the river level and from the air. We conduct drone flights to determine the condition of the river, added Gosk.
