It is about pollution with heavy metals, the reason for which is the work of the plants of the metallurgical industry, as well as other types of pollution.
In Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Mariupol and Kharkiv, the level of environmental pollution with heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons is several times higher than the internationally recommended standards. Such research results were carried out by the Ecodia Environmental Initiatives Center (Ukraine), Arnika (the Czech Republic) and University of Chemistry and Technology experts (Prague) with the financial support of the «Transition» program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
READ: Mariupol Residents Daily Breathe Dangerous to Health Formaldehyde
«The detected level of pollution with heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants in some places poses a threat to human health. The most dangerous pollutants are cadmium and arsenic, the latter is a potentially carcinogenic compound,» said Marek Shyr, author of the study, University of Chemistry and Technology expert at a press briefing at the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center.
Only conducted two studies. Within the framework of the first, experts analyzed samples of bottom sediments and sand from playgrounds in the 5 cities indicated. In the second study, the content of dioxins and other persistent organic pollutants in free-range poultry eggs was analyzed. Total 88 samples were selected.
In river sediments, a high content of heavy metals, mainly cadmium and zinc, was found. The highest level of pollution in samples of bottom sediments is in Kharkiv and Zaporizhia. Excess levels of zinc and lead were found in several samples of sand from playgrounds in the Dnipro and Mariupol.
READ: VIDEO. «Stop Slowly Killing Me», — Mariupol Children Demand from Poroshenko to Influence the Emissions of Akhmetov’s Plants
In all bird samples, the content of dioxins and dioxin-like PBX (polychlorinated biphenyls) exceeds acceptable limits. In samples of eggs from Mariupol, the concentration is 1.3 times higher than the allowable daily dose of dioxin consumption for adults and almost three times for children.
Among the recommendations of the study — to identify potential sources of pollution, conduct additional research on the environment and food to identify the extent of pollution and the risks to human health; modernize equipment at enterprises using the best available technologies and improve environmental protection measures in cities.
Recall recently the issue of environmental degradation in the resort Mariupol is gaining more and more resonance. Locals are struggling to attract the attention of the public and international partners to the uncontrolled emissions of metallurgical giants that belong to Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov.
Not seeing a solution to the problem, Mariupol residents have already appealed to both President Petro Poroshenko and the Cabinet of Ministers with the requirement to recognize the city as an environmental emergency zone and remove Ostap Semerak from the post of Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources.