POPs in CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES
Abbreviated project report (July 1–December 31, 2002)
KAZAKHSTAN
The Roundtable in Kokshetau
On September 14, 2002 at the Kokshetau A. Myrzahmetov University in Kokshetau a roundtable was organized entitled “Problems of biosphere pollution by persistent organic pollutants”.
Participants of the event – government officials, NGO and media representatives, university professors and students were introduced to POPs-related problems affecting the environment of Kazakhstan.
Roundtable participants mentioned that in Kokshetau key sources of persistent organic pollutants were represented primarily by burning household wastes, fallen leaves etc.
A source of other category of persistent organic pollutants (polychlorine dephenils) is represented by condensators and electric current transformers, in which polychlorine dephenils serve as additives to oils filling these types of electric devices.
Another source of persistent organic pollutants is represented by unsanctioned sales of DDT and GCCG containing pesticides.
Participants of the roundtable introduced several proposals related to combating persistent organic pollutants and as a contribution to addressing this issue adopted a decision to address the city Akim’s office (local Head of the executive) demanding adoption of a special decree providing for:
a) in the sphere of burning byproducts – dioxins
- a ban on burning fallen leaves;
- a ban on burning wastes accumulated during the winter time;
- a ban on burning household wastes at the city garbage collection facility and on the territory of private households;
- immediate destruction of ad hoc newly created garbage collection facilities;
- actions against development of unsanctioned garbage collection facilities inside city limits providing for significant penalties for involved households or organizations;
- organization of a media campaign entitled “No to burning wastes!”.
b) in relation to industrial substances
- expedient (within next several months) development of an inventory of condensators and electric current transformers containing polychlorine biphenils (mainly concerning condensators produced by Ust-Kamenogorsk Plant before 1994) and utilized by enterprises located in the city to ensure replacement of the equipment by safe alternatives.
c) with respect to pesticides classified as persistent organic pollutants
- a strict ban on sales of pesticides containing DDT or GCCG in packets at the city’s market places. To require appropriate staff to ensure on-going control over sales of such products.
- More strict control over shipments of vegetables from southern regions of Kazakhstan and Central Asian states with potentially high residual accumulations of pesticides.
Discussion of issues related to persistent organic pollutants led to development of series of proposals aimed at fostering active public involvement in resolving POPs-related issues.
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