Foundry ‘not violating emission law’

By Martin Hellicar

A FOUNDRY linked to high incidences of cancer in a Nicosia district village is not violating emissions limits set down in law, the Labour Ministry said yesterday.

“The set limits for particulate concentrations in gas emissions from the chimney of the factory are considered adequate for the control of pollution, bearing in mind the practice followed in various European countries,” a ministry announcement said.

Ergates village residents say the metal works is poisoning their environment with lead and cadmium, and that it is to blame for the high levels of cancer and breathing problems in the area.

The House Environment Committee heard on Tuesday that levels of heavy metals emitted by the works were routinely six times those permitted under EU law.

But the Labour Ministry yesterday said EU law did not define emission limits for such factories, but only stated that the “cleanest available” technology should be used. The ministry added that the relevant EU regulations made allowances for older works, such as the Marios and Eleni foundry at Ergates.

The ministry statement did not deny that the village was polluted, but stressed the foundry was not the only dirty industry in the area.

The villagers claim the government is not doing enough to protect their health. The environment committee wants the foundry closed down until it can limit heavy metal emissions.

An epidemiological study has shown that one in three children in Ergates suffers from breathing problems. It also reveals unusually high incidences of lung, brain, kidney and pancreas cancers.

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