Lung cancer is still one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Greece has one of the highest incidences of the disease in Europe, and researchers say it is due to the country’s growing tobacco use.

However, in some small villages in Greece, lung cancer rates are so high that researchers believe that tobacco is not the only culprit. In many of these areas, a legacy remains from industrialization in post-World War II Greece that has left a long-lasting impact on human health.

The Legacy of Tzanakis

In the mid-20th century, Greece began to industrialize rapidly. The government was eager to modernize and saw factories as a means to do so. One of the most prominent industrialists of the time was Georgios Tzanakis.

He founded a series of companies that produced textiles, iron, and cement, and he quickly amassed wealth and influence in Greece. To many Greeks, he was a symbol of progress and prosperity.

But Tzanakis’s legacy is not just one of industry, he also left behind a toxic legacy.

He was once quoted as saying, “I am a producer, not a pollution inspector.” Tzanakis’s factories, particularly those that produced cement, released harmful chemicals into the air, soil, and water. As a result, nearby communities suffered from elevated levels of toxic chemicals, including asbestos, silica, and benzene.

The Impact on Greek Communities

One of the villages most affected by Tzanakis’s factories was the village of Aghioi Anargyroi. The village is located in central Greece and was home to one of Tzanakis’s textile factories.

Today, the village has a population of around 2,000 people, and since the 1990s, it has had one of the highest rates of lung cancer in Europe.

Research conducted in the village has found that the incidence of lung cancer is directly linked to the level of pollution in the area.

The research showed that those living closest to the factory had the highest levels of toxic chemicals in their bodies. Furthermore, a study conducted by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens found that the village had the highest incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Greece.

The situation in Aghioi Anargyroi is not unique. Researchers have found similar patterns of high lung cancer rates in other Greek villages that were home to Tzanakis’s factories.

In many of these villages, residents are still living with the consequences of the industrial pollution that took place decades ago.

The Fight for Justice

Despite the overwhelming evidence that Tzanakis’s factories were responsible for the pollution that has impacted Greek communities for decades, no one has ever been held accountable for the harm caused.

For years, activists and community leaders have been calling for justice, but their calls have largely gone unanswered.

In 2021, the Greek government announced that it was finally taking steps to hold those responsible for the environmental damage caused by Tzanakis’s factories accountable.

The government said it was launching an investigation into the pollution caused by the factories and that it would take steps to clean up contaminated sites and compensate those impacted by the pollution. However, some activists remain skeptical that the government will follow through on its promises.

The Long-Term Health Consequences of Industrialization

Tzanakis’s factories were not the only ones responsible for polluting Greek communities. In the mid-20th century, Greece saw a boom in heavy industry, including mining, metallurgy, and chemical production.

As a result, many Greek villages were exposed to toxic chemicals and other environmental hazards for decades.

The long-term consequences of this pollution are still being felt today.

In addition to the high rates of lung cancer and mesothelioma seen in many Greek villages, there are also high rates of other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and neurological disorders.

Conclusion

Tzanakis’s legacy is a cautionary tale of the long-term health consequences of unregulated industry.

Greek communities are still grappling with the impact of industrial pollution that took place decades ago, and many have yet to receive justice for the harm caused. As Greece continues to modernize, it is imperative that steps are taken to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated.