Researcher calls for health study over Lajes Base contamination
Azores GuideThe same hearing of the Azores regional parliament approved an independent technical commission to investigate soil contamination on Terceira.
Researcher Félix Rodrigues told a committee of the Azores regional parliament that the population of Terceira should be the subject of an epidemiological study. According to Açoriano Oriental, the study would establish whether contamination of the soil and aquifers at Lajes Base, used by the United States Air Force, is causing illness among residents.
Rodrigues presented his doctoral thesis on heavy metals in the skeletons of former residents of Terceira. RTP Açores reported that they were former residents of Praia da Vitória. Açoriano Oriental reported that about a hundred skeletons were analysed and that Rodrigues said the thesis shows associations, not a causal link between exposure and disease.
The hearing was requested by the Socialist Party (PS) group. According to Açoriano Oriental, PS deputy Berto Messias and CDS-PP deputy Pedro Pinto said they were open to an epidemiological study.
During the session, the creation of an independent technical commission to investigate soil contamination was approved. It was proposed by PSD, PS, CDS-PP, BE, PAN and PPM, Açoriano Oriental reported.
Earlier this month this site reported that Montenegro says Lajes Base use met legal rules.
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Azores Guide
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