Scientists evaluate the mining disaster

Scientists conducted inspections at the mine site in the village of Çöpler in the İliç district of Erzincan, where a heap leach landslide occurred.

Stating that there was a massive mass movement at the mine site and that there were risks other than cyanide, Prof. Dr. Onur Erdem, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology at the University of Health Sciences Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, said the following:

"We had the opportunity to observe the discussions regarding cyanide, which is what people are most curious about right now, on-site. We went to the field and went out twice today. The intense discussions about cyanide are, of course, normal. Currently, there are measurement devices from AFAD and the Ministry of Health in the field. These measurements are still ongoing. When we look at the data we received from these measurements, we actually saw that the values do not pose a significant risk in terms of cyanide at the moment. If you look at the human health and environmental dimensions of this, it is a very large event. There is a very large mass movement. There are also various different risks. Not just cyanide. However, we have seen that these risks are being monitored with a series of analyses in the soil, air, and water, both in terms of cyanide and heavy metals, regarding the environment and human health. We have already submitted our recommendations on this matter to our state authorities. This is also the reason why they called us here. Based on the data I have seen so far, in terms of environmental and human health, it does not currently pose an urgent risk..."

Stating that there is no situation requiring the use of masks regarding toxic gases in the region, Erdem said, "The data we have received are well below international limits. No such risk is seen at the moment. Currently, air values are going quite well in terms of air measurements due to the movements of the mass," he said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sermet Sezigen, a faculty member at the University of Health Sciences Gülhane Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Threats, said, "No amount of cyanide that would threaten human health has been measured."

Emphasizing that the necessary precautions have been taken to ensure that personnel working in the field are not exposed to potential cyanide, Sezigen noted the following:

"To determine whether there is a risk regarding cyanide, AFAD personnel on duty in the region have detectors. Apart from this, the company personnel working at the facility have their own personal measurement devices. Subsequently, the Ministry of Environment regularly takes measurements from water and soil samples every day. Additionally, this company has a station close to the settlement that it has reported to the Ministry of Environment from the beginning. So far, as a result of the coordination we have established with the Ministry of Environment, no cyanide has been detected at a level that would threaten human health. No unusual values have been detected in the daily measurements made by our friends at AFAD with detectors at specific points in the region. However, although we have not detected any such value here for now, our first responders continue their duties with personal protective equipment, including respiratory devices, to avoid any problems in case of a possible cyanide exposure."

"WE ARE ALSO PERFORMING OUR DUTIES WITHOUT MASKS"

"But at this stage, as you can see, we are also performing our duties without personal protective equipment masks. But our friends in the field are definitely doing their jobs using personal protective equipment. Our friends at the incident site have all the protective equipment. They are already working like that. Because there is a risk. We were also near the field today. They already have all kinds of equipment. However, we know that there is no frightening level in terms of cyanide there either, but... They need to wear them."