WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2999/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Public health problems in Lavrion
Date: 1996-11-08
Institutions: European Parliament, KAKLAMANIS
Subjects: Central Greece, degradation of the environment, metal pollution, metal waste, mining operation, quality of life, toxic substance













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91996E2999

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2999/96 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Public health problems in Lavrion  


Official Journal C 083 , 14/03/1997 P. 0105 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2999/96 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (8 November 1996)Subject: Public health problems in LavrionAs a result of years of blatant indifference by the Greek authorities, the health situation of the 10 000 inhabitants of Lavrion and the Lavrion peninsular is now very alarming.The reason for this is the high concentration of toxic substances such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury, zinc etc. Investigations (for example by the Institute of Geological and Mineralogical Research as part of the EU LIFE programme) have revealed twice to six times the normal levels of lead in the blood of children living there and up to ten times the normal levels of cadmium in their teeth.In addition, there are cases of carcinogenesis, cancer, hyperactivity in children, lower pre-school performances, a drop in IQ levels etc.In addition, slag heaps are being used to provide landfill for the harbour mole. Mrs Wulf-Mathies, Member of the Commission, has called for this practice to be ended immediately.Given the extreme gravity of this situation:1. What immediate steps will the Commission take to prevent further pollution in this area, in view of the failure of the Greek authorities to take suitable measures?2. Is it possible for the Lavrion area to be included in a Community environmental protection programme and how could this be done?Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (17 December 1996)For several years the Commission has been aware of the pollution problems, dating back to antiquity and linked mainly to mining activities, which face the town of Lavrion.In a bid to help solve these problems, the Commission has selected, under the Life Programme, project 93/GR/A14/GR/4756 which seeks to rehabilitate an area of Lavrion seriously polluted by lead and other heavy metals and to promote the sustainable development of the region with the support of the local authorities. This project is bound to contribute to improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of the region. The Community will be co-financing the project, which is to be conducted by the Lavrion municipal authorities (ECU 631 588 to be funded by the Community and ECU 731 322 by the municipal authorities).As regards the use of steel scrap as a filling material, the Commission has received official assurances from the Greek authorities that, according to studies carried out on the subject, this practice has no adverse effects.The Commission does not expect to adopt specific measures for the region. It is up to the Greek authorities to present the Commission with proposals for actions to be undertaken in the framework of existing operational programmes. In such cases, the Commission will take appropriate action after examining the file in question.