Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism requests urgent action from inspection regarding poisoning of people in Vareš

(Patria) - The Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism has informed the public about the steps taken following information published in the media about the results of health examinations of the population in the municipality of Vareš, according to which the analysis of 44 blood samples from different age groups revealed alarming levels of lead in the blood.

- Bearing in mind the potentially serious health consequences that the presence of lead in the blood can cause, the Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism Nasiha Pozder has sent an urgent request to the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs to conduct an inspection regarding the mentioned case - stated the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

They added that the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism requested that, upon completion of the inspection, relevant findings and information be submitted, in order to, in accordance with valid regulations, prescribe appropriate measures, and for the public to be informed in a timely, transparent, and reliable manner about all further steps.

- We note that the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism has not received any official inquiry or letter regarding the mentioned examinations to date. However, given the public concern, as well as the information published in the media, the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism reacted without delay, keeping in mind the protection of citizens' health and environmental preservation - stated the Ministry, as reported by the Office of the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Public Relations.

The local newspaper Bobovac published an article stating that health examinations of the population in the Vareš area showed shocking results, as lead was found in the blood of all tested individuals.

"All 44 analyzed blood samples of people from different generations were positive for the heavy metal that causes serious health consequences, and as many as 17 people had values that require immediate medical attention," the text stated.

It is also stated that the director of the Vareš Health Center, Ahmed Memić, said that they had informed all competent institutions and ministries at the federal and cantonal levels and requested the urgent prescription of measures to manage this situation.

He warned that it is necessary to conduct a systematic blood analysis of the entire population of the wider endangered area, given that so far, samples from people living near the tailings pond of the DPM Metali mine in the Vareš villages of Pržići and Daštansko have been analyzed.