Greenpeace estimates 1.6 billion euro damage from asbestos in Burgenland

Environmental group Greenpeace estimates that asbestos contamination in Austria's Burgenland region will cost at least 1.6 billion euros. The organization is urging the federal government to tap into disaster relief funds to manage the disposal and remediation of the hazardous material.

Greenpeace detected asbestos through dust samples in southern Burgenland. They estimate that the cost of disposing of the asbestos-containing material alone will amount to approximately three-quarters of the total damage, with the remainder allocated to remediation efforts.

The environmental group believes the federal government should provide funds from the disaster relief program and ensure cost-effective disposal of the asbestos. The contamination poses a significant environmental and financial challenge for the region.