Fourteen former industrial sites have been shortlisted for remediation under the first-ever nationwide effort to improve land management in the Republic of Serbia.<\/p>\n
Decades of industrial activity and improper waste disposal infrastructure\u00a0<\/strong>have left a hazardous legacy of contaminated soils in the country. Hundreds of sites have been polluted by heavy metals and potential carcinogens such as zinc, copper, lead and mercury, as well as confirmed carcinogens such as chromium or cadmium, posing a variety of environmental and health risks.<\/p>\n The polluted sites are often located close to urban areas and rivers. Organic pollutants and metals can leach into the soil, affecting food and water and risking biodiversity loss.<\/p>\n In order to address these threats and to reduce the risks of humans being exposed to them, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has analyzed soil, water and sediment for 32 sites and delivered trainings so that local authorities could monitor soil quality and submit data to the country\u2019s environmental authorities. The officials have also been trained to set criteria to decide which sites should be prioritized for clean-up, putting the Serbian government in good stead for further clean-up actions. An interactive hotspot map has been created to help manage data for the polluted sites, and a national platform set up to share information on land degradation and sustainable land management.<\/p>\n \u201cHealthy soil is central to many aspects of our daily lives, from safe food to a healthy place to live and play,\u201d said Bruno Pozzi, Director UNEP\u2019s Europe Office. \u201cWe are proud to have helped Serbia map contaminated soil sites for rehabilitation, supporting the country onto a cleaner path for its citizens and nature.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks to this project, we have a better idea of the scale and type of contamination faced. Serbia can now conduct more detailed investigations into individual polluted sites, carry out the transparent disposal of hazardous waste and ease its burden on our natural environment,\u201c said Dr Milan Milutinovi\u0107 of Belgrade\u2019s Institute of Public Health.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only have we been able to carry out soil sampling and learned to apply new methodologies of risk assessment – the project has also helped us to ensure better cooperation between all levels of government,\u201d said Filip Radovi\u0107, Director of the Serbian Environmental Protection Agency. \u201cThe Republic of Serbia has made the first step in setting priorities for soil remediation, with a lot more work ahead in this area that will require additional support.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe purchases of soil analysis instruments, protective field equipment and software by the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea has also made a major difference,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n