AYS Daily Digest 08/12/20 Scary potential for lead poisoning in Moria 2.0
By: Are You Syrious
Tags: Refugees, Europe, Digest, Greece, European Union

FEATURE: Lead poisoning concerns in Moria 2.0

In a new report by Human Rights Watch, they raise concerns about lead poisoning in Moria 2.0, due to the fact that the Greek government is building the camp on ground that used to be a military firing range. The government has not overseen comprehensive lead testing or soil remediation even though they are now starting to move people in. People now living in the camp have collected evidence that “unexploded mortar projectiles and live small arms ammunition” are still in the area. These could of course lead to serious injuries or deaths if not cleared away.

“In response to letters from Human Rights Watch, Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi stated in a November 19 letter that the camp had “no lead contamination,” but provided no evidence for the basis of that assertion. He said the government has agreed to conduct soil testing with the European Commission within one month, but has not revealed the nature of the testing, the areas to be tested, or the methodology. A Hellenic army representative called Human Rights Watch on December 1, stating his intention to respond to a letter received on November 4 from Human Rights Watch, raising urgent concerns. But no response has been received. On December 6, General Secretary for Asylum Seekers’ Reception Manos Logothetis, called Human Rights Watch to dispute the risk of lead contamination at the camp. He confirmed that no soil testing for lead had taken place prior to moving people to the camp, but said that authorities are awaiting the results of soil testing conducted recently in collaboration with the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME). ‘No one just shows up without a plan,’ Dr. Gordon Binkhorst, vice president of global programs at Pure Earth, told Human Rights Watch. ‘Sharing of a well-founded work plan beforehand is key to transparency and ensuring confidence in the findings.’ Greek authorities should allow independent experts to comment on investigative work plans, audit the soil testing process and collect split samples for independent testing.”

Western Europe Researcher at Human Rights Watch Eva Cossé provided the following information, namely that the World Organization says that “there is no known safe lead exposure” and that lead is extremely toxic “when ingested/inhaled, particularly by kids and during pregnancy.”

“(The) firing range was in use from 1926 until days before camp was built…Even worse, the Greek govt failed to clear unexploded mortar projectiles and live small arms ammunition before moving people there, (and) did wildly negligent clearance operations only after families with kids arrived. To top it off, in last days the gov launched major construction works at the camp, which would normally be a good thing if improving camp conditions, but it could also disturb any potentially lead-contaminated soil, which could further expose residents and workers. If there is lead-contaminated soil at camp, that could threaten the health of everyone working there too, incl. staff of Frontex, EASO, EU Commission, UNHCR, WHO, Europol, IOM, UNICEF, HRC SAMARITES, Hellenic Police, Hellenic Greece, Eody Greece, and all others.”

“Govt needs to immediately pause construction works, conduct soil testing, make results public. If it finds lead present in soil, it should take steps to immediately end people’s exposure and treat any lead poisoning, particularly young kids and pregnant women.”

Read the full report here.