High electricity pylons are not isolated, they have only a small inscription about the danger that high voltage electricity may cause. There is not any protection that can prevent children to climb on the pylons. Electricity cables are handing everywhere in the neighborhood which increases the risk of electricity shocks [see pictures]. The poor infrastructure in the settlement creates additional difficulty for ambulance or fire-brigade camions in case of fire or accidents that electricity cables may caused [1]. Streets are not paved and sidewalks, traffic signs and lights are inexistant in the Roma neighbourhood. It rises the risk of road accidents, especially for children. 

In addition to electromagnetic radiation the Romani families are exposed to air and soil pollution due to the lack of a sewage removal system with the resulting health hazards including many cases of  Hepatitis A [1]. Waste, as well as defecation, is evacuated through septic tanks and contaminates the soil. In some cases sewage is discharged directly on the ground together with decomposed food and plastic materials. 

Garbage overflows in the streets in the Roma settlement   harming additionally the inhabitants health. Only 6 dumpsters are placed in the Roma neighbourhood where live around 2000 persons while in non-Roma living area the number of such items is higher. The situation with small garbage cans in public space is similar: they are inexistant in the Roma neighbourhood while garbage cans can be easily found on streets located out of the Roma settlement [see pictures].  

The poor refuse collection leads to the creation of unregulated waste landfill close to houses and main roads in the neighbourhood polluting the green space and the vegetation in the settlement. Dumps are particularly dangerous for pregnant women, babies and children who are not protected from direct contact with the waste near the playing area in the settlement. 

Supported by the Council of Europe's program ROMACT the inhabitants formed an informal initiative committee, including one city counselor originating from the Roma neighbourhood and 3 Health mediators. Together they initiated individual and public meetings with the local authorities in Tvarditsa to address the waste management and refuse collection. The authorities removed the biggest unregulated dump from the settlement but have not provided more frequent garbage collection. As consequence, another dumps appeared in the Roma neighbourhood located on the road and the grass. 

Electromagnetic radiation has never been addressed by the authorities and Roma are still exposed to radiation produced by high voltage electricity pylons. The inhabitants have never raised the issue because of the risk of forced evictions and house demolition.  in fact several examples have shown that public authorities use health hazards as a pretext for evicting Romani families-a measure that dissuades Roma to take an action. 

The issue of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) has never been raised by the public authorities despite the fact that the municipality has an expert on environmental issues. The effects of electromagnetic radiation is ignored by the Regional Health inspectorate - information or data about health issues caused by EMR in Tvarditsa is not available. The Regional health inspectorate has never studied the health impact of the lack of sewage removal system and poor waste management in the Roma neighbourhood in Tvarditsa.

The local initiative committee formed by the Romani inhabitants are not aware about the health risks caused by electromagnetic radiation. It focuses on other issues such as waste management and poor infrastructure.