High levels of nitrates linked to thyroid and stomach cancers have been found in nine of Cyprus’ 21 groundwater sources, according to a special report released by Auditor-General Odysseas Michaelides. (Click here for the full 156-page report in Greek.)
The dangerous chemicals are used in agriculture and industry, leading to contamination of the water supply and higher risks of serious diseases like methemoglobinemia, in which the body produces less of the haemoglobin needed to transport oxygen in the bloodstream. This can lead to ‘blue baby’ syndrome, when newborn babies and infants die of insufficient oxygen in their bloodstream.
There are especially high levels of nitrates in Kokkinochorio; Kiti - Pervolia in Larnaca; Softades - Vasiliko (Limassol); Akrotiri (Limassol); Chrysochous-Gialias (Paphos); and Limassol District, the report’s author Akis Kikas told CyprusNewsReport.com.
On top of this, 11 out of the 21 groundwater sources have been contaminated by sea water, according to the report.
There are other serious problems with the water source and distribution system, said Mr. Michaelides.
Safety and flooding
There are not enough safety precautions around the island’s dams, especially at Kouris. This dam overlooks Limassol and there is a desalination plant nearby, so any accidents or overflows could flood residential areas and damage the plant.
Wasted water
Most of the costly water produced by the Vassiliko desalination plant ends up in the dams or is used for irrigation because a desalinated water distribution system hasn’t yet been built.
Weaknesses
There are weaknesses in controlling boreholes, with local municipalities drilling holes for water instead of using the dams, meaning an impact on the public health and the environment.
The municipalities have limited water tank capacity, increasing the risk of water cuts, especially in the tourist areas.
Recycling
Not enough attention is paid to using recycled water and not enough smart technology is used to limit water waste.
Inconsistent
Pricing and distribution of water is inconsistent.
Danger to public health
The report is shocking, not least because of the risk to the public’s health. So many families are affected by cancer and it is a real failure on the state’s part that these basic problems are not yet solved. 70 percent of our bodies are made up of water, and it has been recently shown that the cancer treatment infrastructure - while of extremely high quality - is overwhelmed with the sheer number of patients.
The first priority must be to prevent as many cases of cancer as possible by immediately cleaning up the water supply and making the relevant health warnings to the affected areas.
