The lead poisoning of the inhabitants of the IDP camps (see map) has been an ongoing issue of concern for many years.
On 22 May 2008, Romano Them got alerted by a news item which was published in the internet magazine “New Kosovo Report”, alleging that new probes taken among 105 children living in the IDP camps of Osterode and Cesmin Lug have shown that the lead level in their blood had doubled.
Romano Them reacted immediately and asked for confirmation of the information from the international agencies involved in the issue, WHO, UNICEF, and UNMIK.
After receiving a copy of the results from the representatives of the camps, by whom the tests were commissioned, Romano Them issued a press release calling to the UN to provide comprehensive information on the lead contamination in the IDP camps.
See also: Mitrovica Lead Crisis: Statements
and:
New statements on the situation in the lead-poisoned camps
Related items on this site:
OSCE: Lead contamination in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica affecting the Roma community, February 2009
WHO calls for more efforts to reduce lead toxicity in temporary camps, Press Release, 31 January 2009
UNMIK report silent on lead contamination in IDP camps, 20.07.08
Romano Them: Mitrovica lead crisis: Romano Them asks for comprehensive information from the UN (PR, 27.05.08 )
Still high lead poisoning of children in Roma camps in Mitrovica and the International Community’s ignorance, (PR, 26.06.08 )
Jos uvek visoka kontaminacija olova romske dece po kampovima u Mitrovici i nepaznja Medjunarodne Zajednice, (PR, 26.05.08 )
Kosovska Mitrovica zatrovana olovom. Romi u kampovima najugroženiji. (Dorit Nitzan, direktorica Svedske Organizacije za Zdravlje u interviju s Radio Točak), (Interviju, 25.05.08 )
Reports:
Lunchakorn Prathumratana, Rokho Kim and Kyoung Woong Kim: Heavy Metal Contamination of the Mining and Smelting District in Mitrovica, Kosovo, November 2008
Videos
Mitrovica: North and South of a divided city
Roma in Kosovo, TV Feature, October 2007