Moldova : environmental and health risks for personnel to be deployed to Moldova

Authors:

  • Edlund Christina
  • Follin Per
  • Liljedahl Birgitta
  • Lindblad Anders
  • Tegnell Anders
  • Melin Lena
  • Normark Magnus
  • Sandström Björn
  • Waleij Annica
  • Westerdahl Kristina

Publish date: 2004-01-01

Report number: FOI-R--1169--SE

Pages: 44

Written in: English

Abstract

On request from MUST, FOI, the Division of NBC Defence, has made a preliminary overview of the existence of NBC- or environmentally related health risks, which military and civil deployed personnel stationed in Moldova, may be exposed to. The difficulties in receiving relevant information about the country of Moldova have varied. It is therefore very important that the information is continuously updated. This study has been performed within the time frame of one week, and should therefore be seen as a first screening of the situation in Moldova. The quality of the inforamtion used for the assessment made in this study refers to the time when the information was gathered (May 2003). This study deals with EIHH (Enviromental and Industrial Health Hazards), NBC threats, terrorism and criminality, mines and UXO (unexploded ammunition), diseases and sanitary issues. The most important conclusion s from the information available is that industrial or NBC related health risks most likely will not pose any serious threat to personnel stationed in Moldova. However, it can not be ruled out that such problems can occur in some localities. The main risks connected to being in Moldova are instead related to sanitary issues, infectious diseases, diarrhoea and criminality. Prophylactic recommendations to Moldavian visitors are dependent on several factors, such as; the physical and medical status of the visitor, their task, duration of their mission and under what conditions they will operate in the country.