Dozens purchase contaminated seaside plots in Finland, now barred from any construction

Dozens of buyers have acquired recreational plots on a contaminated former sawmill site in Kaarina, southwest Finland, only to later discover the land poses serious health risks, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The Harvaluoto area, once home to a sawmill operating until the 1980s, contains high levels of dioxins and furans—toxic compounds linked to neurological disorders, liver disease, and reproductive harm. Last year, the city of Kaarina imposed a strict construction and land-use ban on the site, halting all development.

At least 30 plots have been sold since 2020, with some buyers already erecting saunas, docks, and access roads—despite the prohibition. One buyer, Jussi Manninen, purchased a 4,500-square-meter plot in November, only to learn afterward that even tree felling is forbidden. “I planned to bring a sailboat and a caravan here,” he told Yle. “Now I can’t do anything.”

City officials warn that disturbing the soil could release harmful substances. “It’s hard to say how much each person has been exposed, but the health risk exists,” said environmental inspector Anne-Marie Tuominen. The most heavily contaminated areas lie in the eastern section, where some plots are located, prompting authorities to extend the ban beyond the tested zone.

Under Finnish environmental law, cleanup responsibility falls to the current landowners, as the original polluter—the defunct sawmill—can no longer be held liable. While Kaarina has blocked some sales using its right of first refusal for health reasons, this option does not apply to plots under 5,000 square meters.

Local resident Sauli Liekari, who owns a small plot, acknowledged the appeal of the cheap, waterside location but criticized the city for not intervening sooner. “The low price and proximity to Turku by the sea—it’s attractive,” he said. “But the city should have stepped in earlier.”

The area remains zoned for residential and recreational use, though officials admit the current plan fails to account for the contamination. A revision is underway, with further soil testing planned. The last assessment, in 2010, confirmed persistent toxic levels. Long-term exposure risks include nervous system damage, hormonal disruption, and infertility, according to the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes).