In rural areas the topic arises when discussing agriculture, tourism or heritage projects each intended to bring a ‘sustainable’ economic benefit. By this is meant a local revenue stream based on a non-depletable resource.

A worst case of pollution: Damage from uncontrolled pollution can be seen at Copsa Mica (Transylvania) when it was considered one of the worst polluted sites in Europe (West and East). According to the UN, “iCopsa Mica is a large industrial city located in the very center of Romania and is classified as an “environmental disaster area.” The environmentally damaged area covers hundreds of square kilometres of land. The main industries in Copsa Mica are non-ferrous metalworking and chemical processing plants, and their effect on the environment has been devastating. Air pollution by heavy metals is 600 times the allowed levels.

To make matters worse, a lead-smelting facility emitted fumes containing sulfur dioxide, lead, cadmium, and zinc on the town and surrounding area for 50 km2 (19 square miles). The entire town and much of the surrounding area were covered with a blanket of black soot daily until the facilities were forced to close in 1993.

It the highest infant mortality rate in Europe, 30.2 per cent of children suffer reduced “lung function” and 10 per cent of the total popula-tion of 20 000 suffer “neurobehavioral problems.” The soil and the local food chain probably will remain contaminated for at least another three decades.”

Since 1989 and the collapse of the communist government, the carbon black factory site was closed and the zinc smelter partially reopened under Greek private management. Visible damage has subsided.