Rosignano Solvay

Rosignano Solvay is a frazione (detached borough) of Rosignano Marittimo, Tuscany, Italy, located some 25 km from Livorno.

Entrance to the Solvay factory.
View of the White Beaches.

It houses the White Beaches (Italian: Spiagge bianche), whose sand is formed by limestone (90%) and calcium chloride (10%) produced by the nearby Solvay since 1914.

Sights include the Teatro Solvay, two Etruscan museums and the Villaggio Solvay residential complex.

Toxic Waterfront

The effluent from the Solvay factory contains many toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and ammonia. As a consequence, according to a report published in 1999 by the United Nations Environment Programme, the Spiagge Bianche has been among the 15 most polluted coastal sites on the Mediterranean Sea. Improvements have not been reported until today.

Between 2008 and 2010, the town recorded a mortality rate higher than the regional average for the same period, increasing by 2.2 per cent for men and 8.3 percent for women. In addition, the frequency of tumors and premature mortality (under age 65) are both above the regional average by several percentage points.

  • "Rosignano Solvay". Comune di Rosignano Marittimo. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  • Website on the Solvay factory at Rosignano

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