Toxicology

The Seveso Disaster was an industrial accident that took place on the 10th of July, 1976. The accident took place in a small chemical manufacturing plant which is approximately 20 kilometres north of Milan in the Lombardy region of Italy. It is called the Seveso Disaster because Seveso, a community populated with 17,000 residents in 1976, were the most affected by this catastrophe. Neighbouring communities that were also affected are located in Meda, Desio, Cesano Maderno, Barlassina and Bovisio Masciago. The industrial plant was located in Meda and was owned by the company Industrie Chimiche Meda Societa Azionaria or otherwise recognized as ICMESA. Residents did not perceive the factory to be a source of danger since the factory had been there for many years. In 1969, the factory produced 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP),  a by-product used mainly in the preparation of an acid. The derivatives which are used as herbicides and the preparation of an antibacterial subs