Chemical waste in Tuzla has endangered residents' health for years, authorities only now reacting

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - A team of experts appointed by the Tuzla Canton Government has confirmed the presence of large quantities of hazardous waste generated by the chemical industry in Tuzla for years, which was not properly disposed of.

The Minister of Spatial Planning and Environmental Protection of Tuzla Canton, Zvjezdan Karadžin, presented today the results of geological research and soil testing. For the purpose of locating the hazardous cruck waste dump in the industrial zone of Tuzla.

The team of experts determined the exact location of the dump, covering an area of 800 to 1,000 square meters. This was stated on the website of the Tuzla Canton Government.

"The research determined that the cruck is located at a depth of half to three and a half meters. And the total volume is between 1,200 and 1,500 cubic meters," said Karadžin.

He added that after laboratory analyses, the bulk density of the cruck was determined, which differs in its loose state and when compacted in barrels. It averages 1,135 kilograms per cubic meter.

Emphasizing that the total amount of this hazardous substance ranges between 1,370 and 1,750 tons, Karadžin said he had hoped it would be less.

Samples of the first discovered substances were sent for analysis to the Zagreb laboratory "Eurofins". According to the number under which the cruck is registered. It is waste that originated from organic and chemical processes, or residues from reactions and distillations.

Karadžin states that in addition to cruck, chemical analysis also determined increased amounts of chlorine, amounting to three percent. Because of this, the incineration of hazardous waste will not be possible in the incinerator of the Cement Factory in Lukavac.

"During incineration in cement plants, the limit quantities of chlorine can be between 0.7 and 0.8 percent. We will ask a local company to examine the composition of some other samples. Which is important for us to determine the extent to which chlorine, which we know is toxic, corrosive, and carcinogenic, is dangerous," Karadžin pointed out.

He stated that in addition to chlorine, heavy metals were also found in increased concentrations at the dump, such as chromium, lead, and nickel. They are classified as toxic and carcinogenic.

The cruck and other chemical compounds found pose a danger to the health of the population, especially due to the fact that they are buried in the ground, right next to the Jala River, and are also in barrels that have been degraded by water.

Karadžin stated that particularly risky moments occur when groundwater levels rise, which can lead to the leaching of the material and its further spread through waterways.

Emphasizing that the relevant cantonal ministry now faces activities that will lead to the neutralization of hazardous substances, Karadžin said that, after the initial report, the plan is to prepare a study based on which the remediation recipes will be determined.

One of the realistic options is the export of waste abroad, where it will be incinerated in specialized facilities. This could cost approximately slightly more than 4.5 million KM.

Funds for this purpose could be secured through projects of the Federal Environmental Protection Fund, the Czech Development Agency, and UNDP. This was stated on the cantonal government's website.