"3 Japanese sentenced to prison over PFAS pollution in Italy," 27 June 2025

Eleven individuals, including three Japanese nationals, were sentenced to prison here over chemical pollution caused by a former Mitsubishi Corp. subsidiary that contaminated groundwater and rivers, affecting hundreds of thousands of people...

The chemicals released by the Miteni factory in northeastern Italy’s Veneto region were polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals” because they are nearly non-degradable in nature.

... the court recognized Mitsubishi’s responsibility for the water contamination and ordered the corporation to provide compensation to victims, including individual citizens, the Veneto region and the municipal government where the factory was located.

The trial stemmed from an investigation by Veneto regional authorities in 2013, which identified the Miteni plant as the source of PFAS pollutants in the area. The factory, previously owned by Mitsubishi, produced the chemicals for textile and other industrial purposes.

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Subsequent investigations found PFAS concentrations in blood samples of local residents far exceeded acceptable levels, and the pollution issue became a serious public health concern.

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According to Marco Casellato, a lawyer representing the victims, the ruling represents the first time in Europe for corporate managers to be held criminal responsibility for PFAS pollution.

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Mitsubishi declined to give its opinion on the ruling.

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