Expert warns

The Pernegg asbestos scandal is spreading

Eine malerische Kulisse mit Frauenkirche und Schloss Pernegg - wenn nicht die asbesthaltige Deponie unter der Wiese wäre.

(Bild: Pail Sepp)

The next stir in the Pernegg affair: following the abuses around the landfill site uncovered by the "Krone" newspaper, the state has now (unintentionally) confirmed that hazardous material was deposited here.

"There is no immediate danger." This quote was the opening line of a press release issued yesterday by Environment Minister Ursula Lackner (SPÖ) on the Pernegg asbestos scandal uncovered by the "Krone" newspaper. Apparently intended primarily to reassure the local population, this announcement could turn out to be quite a boomerang.

Provincial Councillor Ursula Lackner

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

The letter also states: "15 years ago, rock with natural asbestos deposits was deposited there (note: in Pernegg), which was created during the construction of the Kirchdorf tunnel of the Brucker expressway S 35. The landfill was subsequently covered with excavated soil. As long as this cover is not damaged, no asbestos fibers are released into the air and there is no risk to the environment or the population."

Asbestos illegally dumped in excavated soil landfill
This now officially confirms that excavated material containing asbestos was deposited - but this is prohibited by law in an excavated soil landfill, and the Tieber landfill was approved as such. In other words, the responsible authority apparently deliberately watched as asbestos was illegally deposited there!

Geologist Walter Vortisch, professor emeritus at the University of Leoben.

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

However, experts also have little sympathy for the state's argument that it is "natural asbestos" anyway. "Undamaged in a mountain massif, serpentinite is harmless. But as soon as I process the rock mechanically, I release harmful substances. In addition to heavy metals, this also includes asbestos," explains the renowned geologist and retired Montan University professor Walter Vortisch.

Material containing asbestos and heavy metals is now lying on an unsecured excavated landfill site - that worries me a lot

Walter Vortisch

During the construction of the Kirchdorf tunnel, the dust was then bound by intensive use of water and the asbestos-rich sludge was carted to the landfill. "Material containing asbestos and heavy metals is now lying on an unsecured excavated soil landfill - that worries me a lot," the scientist clarifies.