At least ten employees of the Port of Adria company in Bar have elevated lead levels in their blood. The contamination of several workers occurred, as is suspected, during the performance of work tasks, Televizija Vijesti has learned.
The analyzes were carried out in a private laboratory in Bar, where it was established that the lead content in the blood was higher than allowed.
Although Montenegro has a clinical toxicologist, Dr. Sandra Đuranović, she cannot treat the workers of the bar company, because, as she says, the system does not recognize her. That's why she gave us a statement, without appearing in front of any institution.
"Consequences of chronic lead poisoning can affect various human organs and organ systems. However, if I were to make an official statement, given that the system did not recognize me, then it would be considered quackery and I could be prosecuted, because I am not recognized as a toxicologist in the Montenegrin system," Đuranović said.
The Institute for Public Health (IJZ) announced to TV Vijesti that they received a letter from one of the employees, and that it was forwarded to a specialist in clinical toxicology, without specifying which toxicologist it was.
It is suspected that the employees of the Port of Adria were exposed to heavy metals for a long period of time without adequate protection. However, other unofficial sources of Television Vijesti claim that the measures stipulated by the law have been respected, and that responsibility has yet to be determined.
Employees will have to seek adequate medical care outside of Montenegro, because they cannot get it here. The Institute adds that they are aware that several persons from this company reported to health institutions in Bar.
"We believe that, in accordance with the laboratory findings and the clinical picture of the patients, colleagues from the competent health institutions took all necessary measures in this case. The inspection services have been informed, and we expect that all measures have been taken in accordance with their competences. Exposure to lead, whether through the work environment or other sources, can have serious health consequences, which depend on the degree and duration of contact with this dangerous metal," the IJZ stated.
Television Vijesti is still waiting for answers from the Port of Adria company, which is the privatized part of the Port of Bar, whose majority owner is the Turkish company Global ports holding since 2013.
Bonus video: