35. Giessen, Germany - EUROPE

“Kieselrot” is the common name for the red siliceous slag residue from the Marsberg copper ore smelting process. It was used to a considerable extent in the 1950’s and 1960’s as a covering material for sport grounds and playgrounds, and also in road and path construction. Because of its dioxin contamination, many places were closed and rebuilt during last few years. The sports ground in Giessen is currently undergoing remediation.

Source categories of waste contamination by POPs:

  Metallurgical industry

Data about POPs levels in different environment compartments:

  Waste residue

POPs - Persistent Organic Pollutants:

  Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (dioxins)