07 Apr 2020
Lonza Continues to Implement Measures to Reduce Legacy Benzidine Pollution
- In January, Lonza’s pilot biosparging facility started operations to speed up the breakdown of benzidine in groundwater downstream of the legacy landfill site in Gamsenried, CH.
- To further increase the efficacy of the hydraulic protection barrier at the Gamsenried landfill, Lonza plans to commission an additional protection well in the summer of 2020.
- Drinking water in the communities concerned as well as the catchment area for the thermal springs in Brigerbad remain unexposed to benzidine.
- Detailed investigation of the body of the landfill is ongoing.
- Further historical research on benzidine measurements has been conducted.
- Lonza has commissioned the University of Lausanne, CH, to carry out a study on the potential impact of benzidine polluted groundwater on soil, food production and the food chain.
- A coordination committee consisting of representatives from Lonza and the Swiss government was created and will meet regularly in the future.
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Biosparging, Brigerbad, CH, March 2020
Protection well, Gamsenried, CH, March 2020