Green Talks: “Heavy Metals with Toxic Potential”

As part of the 15th edition of Green Fest, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Flora Zabërxha Ferati delivered an in-depth presentation on industrial pollution and the environmental legacy of Trepça. She described Mitrovica as a city that, alongside its proud industrial history, still bears the scars of heavy metals spread through soil, air, and water.

During her presentation, Zabërxha Ferati explained that toxicity is not an abstract concept, but an everyday reality that directly affects community health. She emphasized that metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury—left behind by past industrial processes—continue to circulate in the environment and be absorbed by humans, plants, and animals.
“Toxicity is in the air we breathe and the water we use. We cannot avoid it, but we can understand it, measure it, and mitigate it,” she stated.

The discussion also highlighted the need for continuous monitoring of air, water, and soil in accordance with international standards, as well as the necessity of institutional interventions for environmental rehabilitation. Zabërxha Ferati explained that although industrial activities have long ceased, open landfills and unmanaged waste remain constant sources of pollution.

She called for cooperation between institutions, environmental organizations, and the local community to transform this toxic legacy into a concrete action plan.
“The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of rehabilitation,” she noted, emphasizing that Green Fest represents an important step in making this issue part of the collective awareness.

Her presentation was met with strong interest from Green Talks participants, opening a valuable debate on the role Mitrovica can play in building a new model of coexistence between industry and nature.