Experts warn of pollution in areas hit by Attica wildfires

As a judicial investigation into last month's catastrophic wildfires in parts of Attica gathers pace, experts have warned of toxic pollution in the areas affected by the blazes.

In comments to Kathimerini, Dimosthenis Sarigiannis, professor of environmental engineering at Thessaloniki's Aristotle University, said residents returning to Mati, Neos Voutzas and Rafina - the areas worst affected by the blazes - should wear surgical masks and rubber gloves when cleaning their homes and keep their stays there as short as possible.

Volunteers helping in the areas should take similar precautions, he said.

"We did not simply have a wildfire in a forest," he said.

"Cars were burned, gas tanks exploded, fuel was ignited and homes, construction material, plastics torched," he said.

"All this released a plethora of dangerous toxic substances such as dioxins, furans...

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