"Free us from it!"

Residents fear for their health due to “toxic fertilizer”

Leopold S. demands the rapid removal of the pile of fertilizer.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/stock.adobe.com, Imre Antal)

Tons of carbolime were poured directly in front of the windows of villagers in the district of St. Pölten. There are fears of a health hazard - especially for a pregnant woman!

A farmer had already deposited more than 20 tons of so-called carbolime on a meadow in the small Kirchstettner district of Waasen in December. Local resident Leopold S. then raised the alarm with the municipality and submitted a petition urgently pointing out the health risk posed by this fertilizer. An expert opinion underpins this concern. According to the report, the EU health authority had determined that calcium cyanamide can also contaminate water. "Cyanamide, which is produced when calcium cyanamide is inhaled, is particularly toxic. This is particularly important when the fertilizer is stored or applied as a powder," explains S., quoting from the report.

Fears for groundwatertoo 
But other residents are also worried about the threat of "contamination". This is because every time it rains, the material is washed out and washed away, possibly reaching the groundwater via the sewer. The public road would also be polluted.

Those affected see a loophole in the law
It was also pointed out that the windows could no longer be opened due to the terrible stench. Leopold S. is particularly concerned: "A pregnant woman also lives here!" In a reply from the district authority, however, it is pointed out that carbolime is generally considered harmless and biologically safe. S. and other villagers refused to give in and demanded an end to this loophole: "We no longer want to be at the mercy of this toxic fertilizer. Free us from it!"