Taranto, Italy-based Ilva, a subsidiary of Riva Group and one of the largest steelmakers in Europe, has announced that, by common consent of the Italian Ministry of Environment, the Puglia regional authorities and ARPA Puglia (Regional Agency for Environmental Protection), it will conduct a feasibility study that will include the testing of a continuous sampling system at chimney E312 of Ilva's iron ore agglomeration plant. Testing has become necessary after controversy over dioxin emission levels from the chimney in question.
In mid-February, ARPA had conducted a sampling of dioxin emissions from chimney E312. The results exceeded the region-allowed limit.