[Translated from Italian] Death from PFAS cancer: Court recognizes link to work at Miteni

By Editorial Staff | Verona Sera | May 27, 2025

Read the full article by Editorial Staff (Verona Sera)

"The Vicenza court has issued a ruling that marks an important turning point: for the first time, a direct link has been recognized between the death of a worker and prolonged exposure to Pfas, the so-called “chemical substances forever”.

The case concerns Pasqualino Zenere, a former employee of Miteni in Trissino, employed for over ten years in wastewater treatment. Zenere died in 2014 due to renal pelvic cancer. Today, thanks to a long legal battle undertaken by his family against Inail, the Court has finally recognized that the disease was caused by the work environment.

The tumor — as stated in the sentence — was caused by continuous exposure to Pfoa and Pfos, two perfluoroalkyl compounds present in the production cycle, which Zenere would have inhaled, absorbed through the skin and even ingested during his duties."

Location:

• Europe
• EuropeItaly

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ChemicalsPFOA
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses