Addressing the problem of persistent organic pollutants is one of the environmental protection focuses in Belarus

«The integrated National Implementation Plan aimed at addressing the problem of persistent organic pollutants is a guarantee of enhancement of the national security, improvement of human health and environmental situation». Valentin Malishevsky, a representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus.  

Global Environmental Challenge

The international community has acknowledged the problem of persistent organic pollutants as a global environmental threat requiring urgent response. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was adopted on 17 May 2004. The main objective of the Convention is to protect human health and the environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

«In 2004-2006 the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and the World Bank  implemented an international technical assistance project entitled «Enabling Activities Related to the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants  in the Republic of Belarus», - said Valentin Malishevsky, a representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. – The project was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and involved the inventory of POPs in Belarus. We have managed to assess the degree of the harmful impacts of persistent organic persistent organic pollutants on human health and the environment. We have implemented a number of other important activities contributing to solution of the problem of POPs. The major outcome of the joint project is the elaboration of the National Plan of the Republic of Belarus for the Implementation of its Obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants for 2007-2010 and until 2028.  The integrated National Implementation Plan aimed at addressing the problem of persistent organic pollutants is a guarantee of enhancement of the national security, improvement of human health and environmental situation».

The key objectives and tasks of the National Implementation Plan include elimination of production and use of persistent organic pollutants; limitation, regulation and control of productions generating persistent organic pollutants; environmentally sound disposal of POPs stockpiles and prevention of the emergence of new POPs.

«Polluting Dozen»

Nine out of twelve POPs are  hazardous obsolete chlororganic pesticides including DDT. In Belarus pesticides have been stockpiled mostly at the storehouses for agricultural chemicals. Some of them have been buried at seven burial sites. The POPs largest burial site (1424 tons) is located in the Petrikov district of the Gomel oblast. Other burial sites are located in the Grodno oblast, the Vitebsk oblast and the Mogilev oblast. Overall, there are over 6.5 tons of obsolete pesticides and their mixtures in Belarus. Most of the hazardous “heritage” stockpiled in the storehouses has been re-packaged to hermetically  sealed containers. However, much still has to be done to prevent releases of highly toxic chemicals to the environment and to neutralize these «delayed action bombs».

It is intended to establish strict control over polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – highly toxic industrial chemicals which have been used for a long time as dielectric or refrigerating liquids in electrical applications and as plasticizers in production of lacquers, paints and other products. Substantial inventory has identified that PCBs are contained mostly in transformers, power capacitors and small-scale capacitors (primarily in daylight lamps). Total of 1564 tons of PCBs are distributed throughout the country. 762 enterprises accommodating PCB-containing equipment (mostly in the Minsk oblast and the Mogilev oblast) have been identified. 40% of the equipment is stored at the open sites creating the risk of leakage.

Special attention has also been accorded to dioxin and furans which form a separate group of persistent organic pollutants. They are generated as by-products of industrial and technological processes that involve the use of chlorine (for example, in pulp and paper mills) or high-temperature technological processes (combustion, metal production).  The findings of the inventory suggest that the main sources of dioxin and furan releases to the environment are waste incineration (47%), ferrous and non-ferrous metal production (28%), power generation (12%) as well as other production processes, transport and uncontrolled combustion processes.

Short-term and Long-term Priorities

One of the priorities outlined in the National Implementation Plan (NIP) is the improvement of the Belarusian legislation, institutional and regulatory frameworks for the management of persistent organic pollutants. It is intended to establish a legislative framework ensuring comprehensive  recording of POPs releases to the environment. Other priorities include identification, assessment and clean up of POPs contaminate sites, remediation of the affected environment and prevention of unintentional releases of POPs.

«The National Implementation Plan has set out an important task of facilitating public education and awareness with regard to persistent organic pollutants. Non-governmental organizations can make a valuable contribution», - believes Eleonora Ivanova, a Board member of the “Ecosphere” International Association.

It is expected to ensure training of workers, scientists, educators and technical and managerial personnel. Exchange of information with other countries and international research and technical cooperation will help address challenges in this field. It is intended to enhance the system of monitoring and analytical control of POPs in the environment.

«Health monitoring is also important. Efficient measures are needed to protect people from the harmful impacts of persistent organic pollutants», - said Irina Zastenskaya, Deputy Director of the National Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

The implementation of NIP activities for 2007-2010 will require BYR 4175 million. It is expected that the major share (BYR 3205 million) will be allocated from the National Environmental Protection Fund. BYR 50 million will be allocated from the national budget and BYR 920 million will be provided by various entities. The needs for foreign funding for a number of NIP activities have also been estimated. It is expected to raise this funding under the international technical assistance programs for Belarus. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection with the help of the World Bank has developed a concept of the comprehensive project focusing on disposal of POPs stockpiles, environmentally sound management of POPs wastes and prevention of their adverse effects to human health and the environment. The project (which is expected to be co-financed by the Government and GEF) is aimed at ensuring continuous improvement of the system for environmentally sound management of persistent organic pollutants.

«Successful implementation of the activities outlined in the National Implementation Plan will allow to minimize harmful impacts of persistent organic pollutants on human health and the environment», - believes Valentin Malishevskiy, a representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.