Financial Tribune: A number of unnamed petrochemical company managers in Mahshahr Special Petrochemical Economic Zone in Khuzestan Province have been charged with violating environmental standards and will be in the dock soon, head of the provincial Department of Environment said. “The senior officials are accused of endangering public health and lives by polluting the soil and water supplies in the region,” Iraj Soleimani was quoted as saying by IRNA. The names of the accused will be made public after they the court finds them guilty for breaching environmental rules, he said. The managers had been warned on several occasions to respect ecological rules but had failed to comply.
“Petrochemical firms were given specific guidelines on how to dispose toxic waste. However, problems lingered and the provincial DoE office filed lawsuits against those who were in breach.” Highlighting the role and significance of human health issues, he said a special committee has been set up to deal with the chronic problems. The official admitted that challenging oil companies and other major industries (supported by powerful lobbies and vested interests) over ecological issues is not an easy enterprise. Mahshahr’s DOE chief urged the media and environmentalists to help and do their share in helping protect the environment because the “DOE alone cannot do much.”
“Heavy metals (lead, mercury and arsenic) have been found in fish in the area indicating exposure to high pollution.” Known as a key industrial region, Mahshahr is home to expansive petrochemical and oil processing facilities.