Expert analysis commissioned by USKOK confirmed the presence of hazardous PFAS compounds at an illegal dump site in Gospić. Soil contamination with heavy metals and groundwater pollution with 'forever chemicals' pose a lasting threat to the environment and public health.
A concentration of 200.5 nanograms per liter, twice the Croatian and European threshold for water intended for human consumption, was measured in groundwater at the illegal waste dump at Bilajska Street 50 in Gospić. This figure, referring to hazardous PFAS compounds commonly known as "forever chemicals," was confirmed by an expert assessment conducted by the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering in Zagreb, commissioned by USKOK. For comparison, the limit is set at 100 ng/l.
Authorities say the contaminated groundwater is not connected to the public water supply system, but this does not eliminate the key danger. The karst terrain in Lika, riddled with numerous fissures, facilitates the rapid spread of pollutants and threatens a much larger area. In its statement, USKOK summarized the diagnosis as follows: "It can be concluded that this is a locally significant but progressive impact, which has already led to permanent changes in the environment and, without remediation measures, represents a permanent source of pollution with a tendency to spread."
A year after the initial discovery, it was determined that the abandoned facilities of the former PPK Velebit contain approximately 37,000 tons of illegally dumped waste. Of that, about 33,000 tons are buried and so mixed with the soil that separating them is practically impossible, a hazardous combination of industrial waste, electronic waste residues, medical waste, plastics, and other materials.
Soil analyses revealed alarming concentrations of heavy metals: copper reached nearly 10,000 mg/kg, a hundred times above the permitted limit, while lead levels exceeded 1,000 mg/kg, about ten times above the allowed amount. The waste is classified as hazardous and ecotoxic, adversely affecting the environment over nearly 18,000 square meters.
PFAS is a collective term for a vast group, thousands, of toxic, synthetic chemicals used in industry since the 1940s. Their main characteristic, a very strong bond between carbon and fluorine, makes them resistant to heat, water, and grease, which is why they ended up in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, firefighting foams, cosmetics, and electronics.
This very chemical stability also makes them nearly non-degradable in nature, they do not break down or break down very slowly, remaining in soil and water for decades or centuries, accumulating in plants and animals, and entering the human food chain. People most commonly ingest them through contaminated water and food. Long-term exposure is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, immune system damage, elevated cholesterol, thyroid disorders, and fertility problems, with children being particularly vulnerable as exposure can lead to developmental issues.
Experts have concluded that the Gospić dump site represents a permanent source of pollution with the potential for further spread if not remediated. The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund is considering four options, with costs varying drastically. The cheapest option, installing a waterproof cover over the site, would cost two to three million euros but does not remove the source of pollution.
Excavation and transport of waste abroad would cost between 20 and 25 million euros, while incineration in specialized facilities outside Croatia could reach between 100 and 125 million euros. The key problem is that Croatia currently has neither a hazardous waste landfill nor an incinerator capable of receiving and safely disposing of this material. While tenders are being prepared for the removal of a smaller portion of the waste, the citizens' initiative "Gospić Is Our Home" points to the slow and uncoordinated response of institutions and demands urgent remediation and accountability for all those involved.
