Terrible news from Bosnia-Herzegovina: Mass poisoning of population; trace of heavy metals in children's blood

According to citizens, the latest blood tests for lead in over 100 residents of Vareš confirm that the poisoning from this heavy metal is far more widespread than initially assumed, reports Jutarnji list.

It is highlighted that this time, lead was detected not only in residents living near the tailings of the DPM Metali mine, in the Pržići and Daštansko settlements, but also among people living in the very center of Vareš.

As Bosnian media recall, earlier testing conducted in December last year showed that all 44 individuals tested, across various age groups, had detectable levels of lead in their blood.

Meanwhile, in a private initiative, nine more people were tested, and their results only confirmed the alarming findings.

Especially concerning is the fact that lead was found in the blood of five children under six years old.

The latest tests show that some individuals have extremely high concentrations of lead in their blood, in some cases tens of times above the permissible levels.

“The presence of lead in the blood represents an extremely complex health problem, as the human body has no physiological need for lead. Modern medicine maintains that there is no ‘safe’ level of lead in the body,” experts from the Zenica Institute for Health and Food Safety stated.

In an interview with a local radio station, acting mayor of Vareš Malik Rizvanović said that, if elected mayor, the health of the citizens will be his priority.

However, particular concern arises from the fact that immediately before the release of the new lead poisoning results, the company DPM Metals submitted a request to the government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton to increase its concession fees.

The authorities of the Zenica-Doboj Canton and the Federation of BiH still do not have a clear response to the situation in Vareš.

Although all conditions for action have long been met, a state of emergency has still not been declared.

It is also unknown whether the Prosecutor’s Office of Zenica-Doboj Canton has even initiated an investigation into the poisoning.

On the contrary, despite strong opposition from local communities and civil society organizations, the relevant cantonal authorities continue to support new, potentially dangerous mining projects in Vareš, including the planned chromium mining in the Krivaja River basin, reports Jutarnji list.