The Cyprus International Institute will engage in research projects that address the environment and public health problems of Cyprus and neighboring countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Northern Africa. Moreover, HCP and CII scientists will work closely to develop expertise and infrastructure needed to conduct research in the environment and public health field. It is planned that while the majority of the research will be conducted by local scientists in Cyprus, Harvard faculty in Boston will also be engaged in the research activities. Of particular importance will be the close collaborations between Cypriot and US researchers to develop high quality research proposals in areas of interest. This requires strong commitment and participation by the HSPH faculty in order to identify regional problems and develop scientifically sound proposals.

For Cyprus, rapid economic development over the last three decades (particularly the uncontrolled growth of tourism industry) has led to a variety of environment and public health issues which must be addressed to avoid serious, extensive and irreversible impacts. The government of Cyprus has made a commitment to streamline environmental legislation and policy so that it is in compliance with those of the European Union.

Cyprus environmental issues fall into four 'key' sectors:

Air Quality
The main air quality issues which the Republic of Cyprus must address include:

• Implementation of EU air quality and emission standards.
• Control of mobile and stationary air pollution sources.
• Provisions for public information/notification when thresholds are exceeded.
• Establishment of a coordinated monitoring program.
• Assessment of air pollution-related health effects.

Water Quality
The water quality issues which the Republic of Cyprus has to face include ground water nitrate contamination from agricultural sources; surface water contamination; marine environment pollution; water conservation-water management; and water quality monitoring.

Waste Management
Environmental issues for Cyprus include hazardous waste from mining and other industrial operations; solid waste management including both human and animal waste management; and waste management policy.

Industrial pollution control and risk management
Cyprus has no integrated management and control system in place concerning chemical substances, industrial wastewater and volatile organic compound emissions.

Addressing these four environmental issues in an evidence-based way that can be sustained while the country continues its economic development is key to the overall development plan for Cyprus.


The overall International Initiative will be a catalyst for securing substantial research grants and investments from other sources, including the European Union, the United States, and other government entities, as well as multi-national corporations and foundations to address the issues described above.

Participating scientists will typically include individuals from Harvard, as well as from Cyprus or other countries assembling multi-disciplinary and multi-national teams to address key problems. The Initiative will bring together a broad spectrum of expertise in the areas of air and water quality, solid and hazardous waste management, life cycle analysis, exposure and risk assessment, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental law, toxicology, management, and other areas.