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Armenia, UNDP to eliminate 1,500 tons of obsolete pesticides and
highly contaminated materials
14:36 12.12.2012
Hasmik Dilanyan
`Radiolur'
An inception workshop was organized today with participation of
Patrice Coeur-Bizot, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Armenia, and
Aram Harutyunyan, RA Minister of Nature Protection, to kick-off the
project to protect health and the environment by eliminating obsolete
pesticide stockpiles and addressing contaminated sites through a sound
chemical management framework.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a Soviet Union-wide program was
initiated to collect the accumulated banned and expired pesticides
from the distribution system and dispose them in landfills or burial
sites. In 1990, it was estimated that overall approximate 600 such
storehouses existed in Armenia.
These contaminated sites present major environmental and health
concerns as most of them have a high risk of general release into the
environment and into agricultural production. As part of the project
preparatory process, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has
allocated USD 140,000 preparation grant.
In his welcoming remarks Patrice Coeur-Bizot said, `This is difficult
but important project. I am confident that the political and financial
commitments, combined with the transparent collaboration framework
involving major government entities and civil society organizations,
will contribute to its successful implementation. Flexibility and
innovation should be guiding principles for decision making during
project development and implementation.'
Continuous release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the
environment will be prevented through the excavation, packaging and
secure storage of high concentration POPs and associated material. It
is estimated that up to 1,500 tons of obsolete pesticides and highly
contaminated materials and around 2,000 tons of moderately
contaminated materials will be eliminated. Through the application of
contemporary health and environmental risk assessment methodologies,
the project will focus on strengthening national capacities to address
the risks, as well as develop baseline data that will help to track
reduction of POPs release.
From: Baghdasarian
highly contaminated materials
14:36 12.12.2012
Hasmik Dilanyan
`Radiolur'
An inception workshop was organized today with participation of
Patrice Coeur-Bizot, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Armenia, and
Aram Harutyunyan, RA Minister of Nature Protection, to kick-off the
project to protect health and the environment by eliminating obsolete
pesticide stockpiles and addressing contaminated sites through a sound
chemical management framework.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a Soviet Union-wide program was
initiated to collect the accumulated banned and expired pesticides
from the distribution system and dispose them in landfills or burial
sites. In 1990, it was estimated that overall approximate 600 such
storehouses existed in Armenia.
These contaminated sites present major environmental and health
concerns as most of them have a high risk of general release into the
environment and into agricultural production. As part of the project
preparatory process, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has
allocated USD 140,000 preparation grant.
In his welcoming remarks Patrice Coeur-Bizot said, `This is difficult
but important project. I am confident that the political and financial
commitments, combined with the transparent collaboration framework
involving major government entities and civil society organizations,
will contribute to its successful implementation. Flexibility and
innovation should be guiding principles for decision making during
project development and implementation.'
Continuous release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the
environment will be prevented through the excavation, packaging and
secure storage of high concentration POPs and associated material. It
is estimated that up to 1,500 tons of obsolete pesticides and highly
contaminated materials and around 2,000 tons of moderately
contaminated materials will be eliminated. Through the application of
contemporary health and environmental risk assessment methodologies,
the project will focus on strengthening national capacities to address
the risks, as well as develop baseline data that will help to track
reduction of POPs release.
From: Baghdasarian