STOP Jugohrom Feroalloys killing our children

Petition from a group of concerned mothers from Tetovo to all the responsible local and Republican institutions for the environment as well as the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for finding mechanisms to bring Jugohrom Feroalloys DOO Jegunovce factory to install the required filters, without which we and our loved ones are forced to live under an extremely polluted air that is jeopardizing our health on a daily basis.

Jugohrom Ferolajs Jegunovce LLC is located on the left bank of the Vardar River, near the village of Jegunovce, 15 km from Tetovo home to about 300,000 residents. The main sources of emissions in the atmosphere, the waste gases from the process of reduction and melting are released directly into the environment without any kind of emission control. Dust is a major pollutant of approximately 12 000 tons are emitted annually. Jugohrom Ferolajs LLC Jegunovce possesses no certified management system environment that is unlawful and against European standards (CEN standards and ICO) for such action. Under these circumstances we are not able to live a normal and healthy life in an urban environment especially in the city which is located under the mountain Shara. Our petition is to revoke the license of the above factories unlawful activities, until they establish a system for environmental management and adequate filters because it meets the prescribed standards for such activity, activities that contribute majorly in ranking Tetovo in the list of most polluted cities in Europe and in the world.

Exposure to air pollution is associated with numerous effects on our health, including lung, heart, blood vessels and nervous system. High risk groups as the elderly, young children, pregnant women and those suffering from chronic diseases of the heart and lungs are more sensitive in terms of air pollution in the Tetovo region because the number of patients is growing every day and especially in high-risk groups. Our children are at risk. It is known that exposure to air pollution can cause acute and chronic health effects. Some of chronic effects are reduced lung capacity and lung cancer as a result of long-term exposure to toxic substances polluting the air. Therefore because of the alarming state of patients and citizens who are exposed to this risk is undertaken this civil initiative to eliminate the problem no matter what radical measures we are required to undertake as citizens, parents and a group that is at risk of high air pollution in our city.

We must underline that in the same time under these conditions we notice that there is a serious breaching of national and international policies and conventions that guarantee the protection of environment. Starting from the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, Article 8, paragraph 1, item 10 (regulation and humanization of space and protection and improvement of the environment and nature); Article 43 (Everyone has the right to a healthy environment. Everyone is obliged to promote and protect the environment and nature. The Republic provides conditions for the exercise of the right to a healthy environment) and Article 55, paragraph 2 (freedom of the market and entrepreneurship can be restricted by law solely for the purpose of defending the country, protection of nature, the environment or human health.)

Please support our petition so our voices can be heard and our children can have a long and happy life.