Authorities in Montenegro have urged the public to avoid the main seaport in Bar, located on the Adriatic coast, following the discovery of elevated levels of lead and arsenic.
The warning was issued on Tuesday after 2023 samples revealed high concentrations of these toxic metals in the port’s industrial zone. Additionally, workers at Port of Adria, a company operating within the privatised section of the port, were found to have significant lead levels in their blood.
Long-term exposure to lead and arsenic poses severe health risks, including cancer, skin lesions, heart disease, and kidney issues.
Milan Gadzic, Director of the National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), told national television, “The recommendation is that citizens who don’t need to go to the area around the port of Bar should avoid it,” Gadzic added that the 2023 measurements conducted by the Centre for Ecotoxicological Research showed arsenic levels up to ten times higher than the legal limit.
A recent health screening of workers dealing with hazardous materials at Port of Adria revealed that 58 out of 63 tested had elevated lead levels. Zoran Martinovic, a representative of the Bar port workers’ union, shared these findings with AFP, noting that this was the first time the workers had undergone testing at a private clinic, which is equipped to screen for lead and arsenic exposure.
Martinovic stated, “Who knows what would have happened if the employees had gone for check-ups a year later.”
The maritime ministry of Montenegro has ordered an urgent investigation into the contamination.
While the health ministry acknowledged the elevated lead levels, it stated they remained within acceptable limits considering the nature of the workers’ roles and their exposure. The ministry did not disclose the specific levels detected but announced that additional health checks would be conducted at a clinic in Podgorica. If necessary, affected workers will receive further medical treatment. The first group of employees underwent testing at the clinic on Tuesday.
Port of Adria, which handles container ships, cargo vessels, and cruise liners, is majority-owned by Turkey’s Global Ports Holding.