Long-hidden toxic waste endangers Serbia's health, EU status
Posted April 04, 2018 7:00 am
PANCEVO, Serbia (AP) - Discoveries in Serbia of rusty barrels stacked up in barns and mysterious liquids cemented behind walls in plastic tubs are triggering alarms.
It is believed that tons of poorly secured hazardous industrial waste are hidden in the country, posing long-term environmental and public health dangers.
The issue has come into focus as Serbia and other Balkan nations move toward joining the European Union.
Serbia's environmental protection minister says the problem arising from decades of neglect, corruption and economic decay is dramatic.
In this photo taken Monday, March 12, 2018, technicians inspect a farm where old barrels and plastic containers full of liquid were found in the northern town of Pancevo, Serbia. Discoveries such as these have triggered alarms in Serbia, where tons of poorly secured industrial waste are believed to be hidden. The issue has come into focus as Serbia and other Balkan nations move toward joining the European Union. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken Monday, March 12, 2018, an old barrel full of liquid found at a farm in the northern town of Pancevo, Serbia. Discoveries such as these have triggered alarms in Serbia, where tons of poorly secured industrial waste are believed to be hidden. The issue has come into focus as Serbia and other Balkan nations move toward joining the European Union. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken Monday, March 12, 2018, a padlock attached to a locked gate of a farm where dozens of rusty old barrels and plastic containers full of liquid were found in the northern town of Pancevo, Serbia. Discoveries such as these have triggered alarms in Serbia, where tons of poorly secured industrial waste are believed to be hidden. The issue has come into focus as Serbia and other Balkan nations move toward joining the European Union. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken Monday, March 12, 2018, a technician inspects a container on a farm where old barrels and plastic containers full of liquid were found in the northern town of Pancevo, Serbia. Discoveries such as these have triggered alarms in Serbia, where tons of poorly secured industrial waste are believed to be hidden. The issue has come into focus as Serbia and other Balkan nations move toward joining the European Union. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken Wednesday, March 7, 2018, Serbia's Environment Minister Goran Trivan speaks about hazardous waste during an interview to The Associated Press, in Belgrade, Serbia. The discovery of discarded hazardous waste have triggered alarms in Serbia, where tons of poorly secured industrial waste are believed to be hidden. Serbiaâs environmental protection minister says the problem arising from decades of neglect, corruption and economic decay is dramatic. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken Thursday, March 29, 2018, barrels and containers with dangerous waste which were found abandoned are temporarily stored, in Belgrade, Serbia. Discoveries such as these have triggered alarms in Serbia, where tons of poorly secured industrial waste are believed to be hidden. The issue has come into focus as Serbia and other Balkan nations move toward joining the European Union. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken Monday, March 12, 2018, a view of old barrels and plastic containers full of liquid found at a farm in the northern town of Pancevo, Serbia. Discoveries such as these have triggered alarms in Serbia, where tons of poorly secured industrial waste are believed to be hidden. The issue has come into focus as Serbia and other Balkan nations move toward joining the European Union. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
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