Stocamine in Alsace: 'Toxicity of chemical waste won't disappear, nobody knows how to deal with it'
France 24Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:44:03 AM
A court in Strasbourg has greenlit a controversial plan to permanently entomb 42,000 tons of dangerous chemical waste—including cyanide, arsenic, and mercury—inside the old Stocamine potash mine in Alsace. The French government’s solution? Pump the tunnels full of concrete and hope for the best. But experts are sounding the alarm: geological shifts, corroding barriers, and rising temperatures could eventually crack the seal, risking contamination of the massive Upper Rhine aquifer, a critical water source for millions across France and Germany.
Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a local problem—it’s a slow-motion gamble with one of Europe’s most vital water supplies. The "out of sight, out of mind" approach might buy time, but toxic waste doesn’t just vanish. If the containment fails, the fallout could span borders and generations. It’s a stark reminder of how hard it is to clean up our messes—especially when nobody has a better idea.
— Curated via WP Now’s
