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.