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Cyprus, earthquake, health and safety, Nicosia, State lab

THE STATE General Laboratory in Nicosia is a shambles and would be not only useless, but dangerous, in the event of an earthquake, the House Health Committee heard yesterday.

Deputies heard that the State Lab building is so outdated that it was a disaster waiting to happen as it would collapse immediately in an earthquake, leaving residents of the Acropolis suburb exposed to the toxic and radioactive materials used as part of the lab’s work.

On top of that, the role of the State Lab in the event of an earthquake collapse  would be rendered useless as there would be no longer any means to test food and water quality in the wake of a disaster.

A union representative at the meeting even claimed that rats had been spotted in the building, leading to concern over the contamination of equipment and utensils. 

The Lab’s Chief Chemist, Eleni Ioannou-Kakouri, told deputies efforts had been made to fix the building, but she described it as “patch up work”.

She said limited funds hindered these efforts. “We are trying to do the most we can with the funds we have, concentrating on the most necessary,” said Kakouri.

One such measure was to update the storage area where dangerous chemicals and materials are kept. But she underlined the need for new premises.

“In the event that an earthquake happens, how will we help if the building collapses? We are operating in a building that must be evacuated in the event of an earthquake,” said Kakouri.

A spokesman for the Civil Defence confirmed the Lab had not been built in accordance with the seismic code. “The State Lab’s role is considered vital, because it will be required to test food and water before it can be consumed by people, as well as cooperate with other important services, such as the Health and Veterinary Services,” he said.

“If the building is destroyed, we will have very serious problems. If there are no plans to build a new building, we will have to prepare a “Plan B”, maybe cooperate with the private sector or see if we can seek EU funds to set up something temporary.”

Spokesmen for the workers’ unions PASYDY and SEK demanded better work conditions for their members, insisting that the government moves the premises – as it is obliged by the law.

SEK’s Tasos Kakoulis even claimed the Lab was full of rodents. “We deal with cleaning important equipment and so on and very often, sightings of dead or alive rats are reported,” he said. “From what I know, it will cost around €37 million to move the building, but that’s nothing compared to what it would cost if a disaster happens.

The State Lab is situated in Acropolis; around it are the Acropolis Lyceum and Primary School, the Makarios Hospital and Oncology Centre, as well as around 200 apartment blocks. If we can’t ensure dangerous materials are being safely kept, if something happens it would be a broad-scale tragedy.”

Spokesmen for the Public Works Department, as well as the Health Ministry, said there was no reason to worry, maintaining that the whole thing was being blown out of proportion.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dionisis Mavronicolas, said efforts were made to fix any problems and make the building safer.

“We tried to have it included in the state budget, but due to the (economic) crisis, this wasn’t possible,” said Mavronicolas. “Hopefully we will have new premises soon. In the meantime, the ministry’s services are ensuring the safety of the Lab’s workers.”

He also referred to reports of rodent sightings.

“We need to avoid the urge to exaggerate,” said Mavronicolas. “I am the ministry’s permanent secretary and this is the first I’ve heard of rats. I don’t think we should cause panic.”

But a spokesman for the committee in charge of ensuring the building’s safety disagreed. “My view is that we should panic. Unless someone can sign a paper saying the building won’t collapse, which no one is willing to do, I will continue to think that.”