Toxic heavy metals in drinking water, rivers, lakes and groundwater, in concentrations far exceeding the maximum permissible limits set by the EU or at levels potentially dangerous to human health, are detected in many areas of the country. Scientists express fears that water "poison" in Attica, Boeotia, Evia, Ptolemaida, the northern islands of Greece, and in the north of Greece. Aegean, Pinios and elsewhere is affecting agricultural production and consider it imperative that samples are taken, especially of target foods such as bulbs, in order to investigate potential risks from their consumption.
Research conducted by an interdisciplinary committee from the Agricultural University of Athens and the University of Athens on behalf of the Hellenic Food Safety Authority and delivered in September 2009 to the political leadership of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, brings to light revealing findings: Nickel was detected in the water supply water of Kalamata at limit values (20.00 μg/l). In the municipality of Asopos, Laconia, a concentration of lead (30.00 μg/l) three times the limit value was detected. Poison in the water of Chios, where analyses detected limit values (1.00 μg/l) but high mercury concentrations.
A characteristic element of the water supply water of municipal districts of Thebes is not only the presence of hexavalent chromium (from 3.00μg/l-12.80μg/l) but also the extremely high mercury values.
The available data showed that the presence of toxic heavy metals is detectable in almost all the drinking waters tested. Although most of the samples show concentration values below the parametric value set by EU Directive 98/83, scientists are sounding the alarm: "Concentrations may be low and not exceed the limits, but heavy metals when they enter the body act cumulatively," they stress.
*In Patras, nickel, total chromium, lead and arsenic (in Souli) were detected at values within limits. The same cocktail of heavy metals, again within limits, was detected in the drinking water of Orestiada, N. Vyssa and Ardas.
*Low concentrations are found in Marathon, Yliki and Mornos lakes. The waters are considered suitable for water supply and irrigation. Iron and manganese in high concentrations - in some cases above the limits - were found in the water of the prefecture of Evros. In Orestiada, arsenic ranges from 6.03 μg/l to 9.69 μg/l. Although the values do not exceed the parametric values (10 μg/l), they are characterised as high. Particularly in the community of Baki, values are sometimes twice the permissible level, with the result that the water is considered unsuitable.
*Groundwater in Lavrion is heavily contaminated with lead (83.30 μg/l), nickel (77μg/l), cadmium (28.30 μg/l) and various other elements whose concentrations far exceed the maximum permissible limits. The researchers stress that the use of these waters is prohibited at least for human consumption.
*Another case of poison water is the groundwater in the Mediterranean. In some places the pollution is so intense that they are considered unsuitable for irrigation.
In the area between Koropi-Markopoulou-Peania, total chromium is found to exceed 100 μg/l in some places (with a limit of 50 μg/l). As the researchers point out, "most of this concentration is obviously in the hexavalent form". Lead and cadmium are recorded outside the limits.
*In Oropos and Oinofytas, except for the well-known problem with hexavalent, which is found in values up to 80 μg/l, all toxic heavy metals exceed the limits. *The water table of Ptolemaida is also problematic, mainly due to intensive lignite exploitation, combustion and suspended ash.
High concentrations of arsenic (20.00 μg/l), mercury (5.00 μg/l), lead (20.00 μg/l) and cadmium (5.00 μg/l) are observed. Equally extensive pollution characterises the aquifers in Aliveri and Megalopolis.
* Toxicity is intense in groundwater in Orestiada, Komotini, Xanthi and Pyrgos Ilia, where a cocktail of trace metals is detected. In Pyrgos in particular, the water contains manganese 50 times above the limit and iron almost three times the permissible level. The groundwater is unsuitable for human consumption and in some cases unsuitable for irrigation.
* As far as rivers are concerned, the expected "first place" in pollution is held by Asopos, as all trace metals exceed the limits. Chromium 65 μg/l (limit 50), hexavalent chromium up to 148 μg/l, lead 20 times more, cadmium 12 times the permissible level. The Pinios River has high concentrations of nickel and chromium. Evros has the highest value for mercury. Less polluted are the Boeotian Kifissos and Alpheios. *In the "red" is the mercury in Lake Petron, Florina prefecture. With a limit of 1 μg/l the average value reaches ...112 μg/l! The lake receives waste from the factories of Ptolemaida. Doirani and Koroneia have high arsenic values. In general, all lake systems in Northern Greece show arsenic lead and nickel loadings.
The scientists conclude that in areas with high levels of industrial pollution, the food produced is significantly more contaminated with heavy metals. They focus their attention on bulbs (carrots, potatoes, onions) and leafy vegetables (cabbage, lettuce, spinach). However, the research carried out by the two universities was completed without any obstacles. "We sent more than 30 requests for data to the competent authorities, but none of them responded," complains G. Zambetakis, assistant professor of food chemistry.
Average Heavy Metal Concentration Values
