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Box 1.1
Box 1.1: When pollution protection breaks down – cyanide
Cyanide is very toxic, inhibiting respiratory processes by irreversible binding to blood cells. It has been used in gold and silver mining, pigments (Prussian blue), biocides and in the production of textiles and pharmaceuticals. Natural processes create cyanides in fungi, plants and bacteria. Most cyanides in water originate from industry. Restrictions limit their use in the EU, owing to their high toxicity.
Serious pollution by cyanide occurred after an accident at a gold mine in Romania in 2000. Near Baia Mare a dam holding 300 000 m³ contaminated water with 100 t cyanide spilled into the Someş River, which flows into the Tisza (Ogul 2015). The spill contaminated the drinking water supplies of over 2.5 million Hungarians with catastrophic environmental consequences, killing over 1400 t fish.
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Eurometaux
"When pollution protection breaks down"
Box 1.1 on a mining accident is not linked to the text. Its purpose here is not clear. We would suggest removing it..
In fact, none of the EU legal mechanisms (Watchlist, PS list or PHS list) have detected such a breakdown.
Eurometaux
"Most cyanides in water originate from industry"
"Serious pollution by cyanide occurred after an accident at a gold mine in Romania in 2000. Near Baia Mare a dam holding 300 000 m³ contaminated water with 100 t cyanide spilled into the Someş River, which flows into the Tisza (Ogul 2015). The spill contaminated the drinking water supplies of over 2.5 million Hungarians with catastrophic environmental consequences, killing over 1400 t fish."
Whilst this is true, Romania joined the EU seven years later and all Member States have been subject to the EU Directive on waste from the extractive industries for over ten years since then.