Protest as toxic particles exceed acceptable limits
Last week over 3,000 Voliots, mostly youths and children, took to the streets to protest over high levels of atmospheric pollution. Concentrations of deadly airborne particles are up to three times over accepted levels. «One of the main reasons for this are the emissions from the AGET cement factory, right near the town,» said Costas Voliotis, of the Magnesia Environment Initiative. According to an inspection in January, AGET consumes petcoke (petroleum coke) fuel, an highly polluting substance, at twice the allowed amount of 100,000 tons a year. The consumption of fuel oil has also passed the permitted limits and there have been infringements of many regulations, as the Environment and Public Works Ministry turns a blind eye.
