Workshop discusses Palestinian environmental health risks

The Institute of Environmental and Health Studies at Birzeit University held on May 2, 2017 a workshop on the Environmental Health in Palestine.

Institute professor Issam Khatib talked about the problems that face the water sector in Palestine, focusing on Hebron governorate. He pointed out the role of the provocative actions of the Israeli occupation in controlling and confiscating water resources.

According to Khatib, many Palestinians are prevented from direct and basic access to water; as such, Palestinians are constructing wells on their property as an alternative.

Providing data, Khatib said that the occupation controls almost 70% of ground water, while unclean water is under Palestinian control. "The Oslo Accords in 1993 gave Palestinians almost 15% of the groundwater, but the increase in population has aggravated the water problem."

The workshop tackled a number of issues including the negative effects of wastewater on a person's overall health presented by professor Nidal Mahmoud, reasons for air pollution and the means of preventing it, presented by Professor Ghadir Arafeh, in addition to the issue of food pollution, which was presented by Khatib.