The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has mandated the Italian government to compensate 151 residents from Baronissi, Pellezzano, and Salerno, each receiving €8,700, as a result of pollution stemming from the Fonderie Pisano foundry.

The court's decision, which stems from an appeal filed by the residents in 2018, concluded that the Italian authorities failed to adequately protect the rights of citizens affected by environmental hazards.

Fonderie Pisano has been involved in the smelting of ferrous metals since 1960. In a significant legislative shift, the area surrounding the foundry was designated for residential development in 2006, contingent on the plant's relocation.

However, the expected relocation did not materialize, and the area was subsequently opened for residential construction without addressing the potential risks posed by the existing industrial operations.

The court noted that multiple inspections and legal proceedings had identified various shortcomings in the plant's operations.

Despite acknowledging these issues, substantial measures to mitigate the harmful effects of the foundry were not initiated until 2016. Since then, authorities have implemented various strategies, including environmental monitoring, to address health concerns associated with the foundry's emissions.

Among the plaintiffs, many have reported health issues linked to the pollution, specifically cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological diseases.

The residents contend that the state did not adequately inform them of the risks of residing in proximity to the facility, nor did it include them in the decision-making processes regarding the foundry's operations.

The ECHR's ruling upheld a breach of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees the right to respect for private life and family life.