October 9, 2010
Dr. Zoltan Illes, a professor at the Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy specialising in waste management, has been actively involved in the response to the environmental crisis in southwest Hungary caused by the collapse of a sludge reservoir at the Ajka aluminium plant. Dr. Illes, who was appointed State Secretary at the Environment Ministry earlier this year, visited the affected area soon after the accident took place. He described it as an "environmental disaster" and among other steps ordered an immediate suspension of operations at the Mal Rt aluminium plant.