COMPLAINTS of an increase in the number of cancer and leukaemia among residents in Lakatamia and Ayios Dhometios in Nicosia have prompted the Health Ministry to launch a large-scale medical investigation across the island, an official confirmed.
Speaking to the Cyprus Mail yesterday, Andreas Georgiou said the Ministry would first conduct preliminary investigations before deciding whether to launch a full-scale investigation into the issue.
“There have been letters from residents, Mukhtars and even the House, complaining of an increase in cancer and leukaemia cases,” Georgiou said.
Georgiou said the medical examinations would begin in the areas of Kato Lakatamia and Ayios Dhometios, then extend to Ayios Georgios at Vrysoulles, Argakas, Timi, Aradhippou, Polemidia, Kornos and Karavostassi, the latter if the authorities in the north give their consent.
“We already conducted a pilot study at Kato Lakatamia,” he said.
“We recorded the number of cancer and leukaemia incidents in order to examine their possible relation with environmental factors such as electromagnetic fields, toxic chemical substances and other factors.”
Georgiou said a special investigation into the use of Asbestos was also expected to be launched in April after being approved by the Planning Bureau.
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.
