Lake Balaton polluted with cocaine, hormones and sunscreen

Lake Balaton’s waters and wildlife are under serious threat as the Hungarian Sea is polluted with sunscreen, hormones, and cocaine derivatives, prompting significant concern among experts.

On 12 June, the HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute held a conference titled “Honestly about Lake Balaton”. The meeting focused on pollutants that significantly disrupt the physiological processes of aquatic organisms and pose a threat to the entire aquatic ecosystem.

As the largest lake in Central Europe, Lake Balaton is a popular holiday destination for both Hungarian and foreign tourists. While this popularity boosts tourism, it adversely affects the water and its wildlife. Data on the extent of pollution in the Hungarian Sea across different seasons have emerged, revealing troubling results, reports sonline.hu.

Cocaine found in Lake Balaton?

Drug residues, including hormones and various cocaine derivatives, have been detected in the water. Recent findings from the HUN-REN Balaton Limnological Research Institute indicate significant human interference, threatening the lake’s living systems and potentially jeopardising its future use. Zsolt Piringer, head of the research institute, noted that the lake is contaminated with pollutants akin to those found at a crime scene.

Éva Molnár, an expert in the research team, stated that 11.5 million cubic metres of treated wastewater are discharged into the Zala River and subsequently into Lake Balaton annually, with an additional 2.2 million cubic metres entering the lake from local baths.

It is estimated that 2.5 tonnes of sunscreen dissolve into the water from bathers’ skin each day. The research team tested for 134 active substances in the Hungarian Sea, including antidepressants, caffeine, hormones, and various heart medications. Of these, 42 compounds were detected, or 72 if considering the entire water body. The highest concentrations were residues from antidepressants and epilepsy medications.

In Zamárdi, significant amounts of cocaine and its derivatives were detected again this year, likely linked to the music festival held there. Research has also revealed serious threats to the wildlife in Balaton: UV filters have doubled the number of water voles, while hormones in the lake have caused premature hatching of snail embryos.

“This situation is not only an environmental issue but also a moral one. It is everyone’s responsibility to respect and protect this national treasure,” said Gábor Molnár, Director of the Balaton Development Council.

During the conference, experts agreed that urgent action is needed to prevent this massive pollution from having irreversible consequences.

Gábor Molnár concluded by emphasising their aim to facilitate dialogue among various interest groups, thus helping to identify problems in a timely manner, develop solutions, and implement measures in a coordinated way.

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