Treasure huntersexcavate toxic waste

 

Yerevan tries to solve problem of hazardous waste burial grounds with help frominternational organizations

One of the main ecological problems of Armenia are the abandoned hazardouswaste burial sites. And a 52-hectare dump only 8-9 km away from the Armeniancapital is one of the worst cases. Over 50 years of exploitation has seen some7.5 million tons of waste accumulated there. Ecologists warn that the sanitaryregulations are not being observed.

This spring, some treasure hunters accidentally excavated a deposit ofhazardous waste at the Yerevan dump, casing a disastrous effect to the healthof the local population and the quality of milk produced by cows that grazenearby.

Experts state that some 300 tons (out of the 500 tons buried in the ground) areof chlorine-organic composition. These substances are subject to immediatedestruction by the Stockholm convention. Moreover, the area of the burialground is often affected by landslides, so the risk of the leak of poisonousmaterials is immense.

Initial funds for neutralizing the dump have already been allocated by the Armeniangovernment, but these are only half measures. Experts estimate that totalexpenditure of 2.5 million dollars is needed to cover the problem. Armenia willprobably have to ask international organizations like OSCE for help as it doesnot possess the necessary level of technology to process the toxic waste. Thetalks have already been initiated by the Armenian side.

Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively for VK