ZDK Institutions Monitoring Situation Due to Increased Lead Concentration in Vareš

(Patria) - Relevant ministries of the Zenica-Doboj Canton are undertaking activities within their jurisdiction after an increased concentration of lead in the blood was determined in a certain number of residents of the settlements of Pržići and Daštansko in the municipality of Vareš.

The Minister of Health of ZDK, Aida Salčinović, explained that the Vareš Health Center officially contacted the Institute for Health and Safety of Food Zenica, so that expert teams from the Institute would go to the field and assess the epidemiological situation regarding possible lead poisoning.

– Biochemical tests and determination of lead concentration in the blood were conducted. Out of a total of 44 analyzed samples, elevated lead concentration was found in 17, but without clinical signs of acute poisoning. The Institute has taken all measures within its jurisdiction, cantonal and local inspection supervision has been ordered, and municipal authorities have been recommended to conduct active monitoring of the population. Medical documentation of these individuals, who are currently without symptoms, is being reviewed – stated Minister Salčinović.

Speaking about the next steps, including the possibility of testing employees and miners of the company Dundee Precious Metals (DPM), Minister Salčinović emphasized that the priority is to determine the cause of the increased lead concentration.

– It is necessary to identify and eliminate the cause. Analyses have shown that the water in the mentioned settlements is hygienically safe and not a source of contamination. Medical supervision of the population continues, and in case of symptoms, appropriate therapeutic measures, including detoxification and chelation therapy, will be applied immediately – said Salčinović.

According to available information, the DPM company has already submitted a request for testing its employees, which is an obligation defined by the contract.

The Minister of Economy of ZDK, Samir Šibonjić, emphasized that the Government of ZDK, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Health are continuously monitoring the situation in Vareš.

– The Ministry of Economy provides support to investors and economic entities operating in the ZDK area, but the health of citizens is an absolute priority. We insist that all entities respect their commitments, including the concessionaire's obligation to conduct necessary tests and take care of people's health protection – stated Šibonjić.

He added that the Ministry of Health and the Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs of ZDK are monitoring the situation on the ground and that the public and media will be informed in a timely manner about all official data. He also emphasized that, when it comes to metals, federal institutions and inspections have jurisdiction.

– We are convinced that the competent federal institutions will take all necessary measures to determine the cause of this phenomenon – said Šibonjić.

Minister Šibonjić added that they currently do not have information on whether the testing of DPM employees has already been carried out, but he emphasized that it is the company's obligation to conduct tests for both employees and the surrounding population, and that at this moment, the validity of mining operating permits in Vareš cannot be prejudged.