Seveso Dioxin Disaster
Environmental disasterAbout
The Seveso Dioxin Disaster occurred on July 10, 1976, at the ICMESA chemical plant in Meda, Italy. A reactor overheated, releasing a toxic cloud containing 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a highly toxic substance. The cloud contaminated a significant area, affecting nearby towns like Seveso and Meda. Despite no immediate human fatalities, many people fell ill, and thousands of animals died or were slaughtered to prevent TCDD from entering the food chain[1][2][3]. The disaster led to significant changes in safety regulations. The EU Seveso Directives were established to prevent similar incidents by requiring safety plans and emergency response procedures. This accident highlighted the importance of proper risk management and safety measures in chemical manufacturing, leading to improved practices across the industry[2][3][4].
