ANSA reported the World Health Organisation will help monitor pollution levels in Taranto as the authorities try to clean up the ILVA steel plant in the southern Italian city.

Italian environment minister Mr Corrado Clini said that the government and the company are fighting a court order to close parts of the plant until it is upgraded to meet international standards because of concerns about the impact of the pollution it generates is having on local people's health.

The company said closure would threaten the future of the plant and the jobs of the 12,000 people who work at the plant and many others in the related supply chain.

ILVA wants to keep the plant in operation during the upgrade.

Mr Clini told the House that "I have asked the WHO to collaborate in controls on pollution in Taranto, specifically the European Centre for Environment and Health in Copenhagen, and I had confirmation that this will be possible yesterday."

Source - ANSA

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