Transformer oil scare

NATO campaign of 1999 destroyed several transformer stations. A large amount of toxic transformer oil spilt in the process.

Izvor: B92

Tuesday, 08.08.2006.

16:11

Default images

Transformer oil scare

Unlike transformer stations in other towns, this one did not use the toxic and cancer-causing piralene, but the less dangerous mineral oil.

Slaviša Stamenković from the Environmental protection directorate in Niš said that everything absorbed by the soil sooner or later reaches the natural cycles. “These substances reach underground water currents, later used for irrigation or as water sources. We should however bear in mind earth is a filter of a kind, filtering out the negative characteristics of the toxic substances”, he said.

“Elektroistok”, a public company, ignored the Environmental inspectorate decision in 2000 that it must conduct a research into the degree of contamination of the soil and underground water currents. The research started in 2003, when the company faced possible criminal proceedings. The results showed that there were toxic substances present, including the mineral oil and highly dangerous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Aleksandar Cvetković, environmental protection inspector, explained that the substances in question have an adverse effect on health, mostly as genotoxic chemicals destroying the DNA, and can also cause cancer. The research showed that both chemicals were concentrated within the allowed limits.

Niš waterworks source wells are located several hundred meters away from the transformers. A Swiss grant funds enabled the city waterworks to conduct regular sample-taking, monitoring the quality of drinking water. Darko Anđelković, Naisus public company technical manager, said the testing conducted in Niš and in Switzerland, showed no signs of toxic contamination of water.

The UN has assisted decontamination in the most affected locations, namely in Kosovo, Novi Sad, Kragujevac and Bor, recommending that the international community should continue with its assistance to Serbia’s efforts to deal with the consequences of the 1999 war.

Komentari 0

0 Komentari

Možda vas zanima

Podeli: