THE GREEN party yesterday charged that the emissions from a Limassol foundry were dangerous and demanded the publication of the findings of an epidemiological study concerning a Limassol foundry, carried out by the Health and Labour Ministries.
Member of the Greens Marina Martin told a news conference that according to existing studies, the fish-like smell from the Nemitsas foundry emissions was caused by a mixture of substances with the smell of burning oil, which is a serious hazard.
Martin said that in high temperatures these substances could react with the nitrogen in the atmosphere and create dangerous compounds, which are carcinogenic.
The foundry yesterday issued an announcement saying the issue was inexistent and that local children were being used to appeal to public sensitivity.
Nemitsas said the foundry operated on a daily basis without any problems and that the new environmental systems that had been installed had surpassed all expectations.
The foundry’s management said that a recent epidemiological study, which had been the main demand of the residents, has proved that there was no pollution or ill effects on the area’s residents.
Martin said, however, that the complete findings of the epidemiological study, which probably included measurements concerning the dangerous reactions she spoke about, had never been made public and wondered why officials did not want to disclose them
A representative for the residents said many people were experiencing health problems and had already appealed to various European bodies.
The representative stressed that the government should make a decision to move the foundry immediately.
The management revealed that it had since 1966 suggested to the government to carry out a study into the possibility of relocating the foundry, not because it was polluting the environment or was a health hazard, but because town planning regulations in the area had since changed, turning it from an industrial to a residential zone.
The parents of the pupils of a neighbouring primary school said they were determined to continue their protests and revealed that new mobilisations should be expected next week.
The Greens said that around 5,000 people were being affected by the operation of the foundry, with the children being among the most vulnerable.
The school’s capacity is for 500 pupils, though their numbers have dwindled with just 260 attending today, the Greens said.
The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.
