SURVEY ON CURRENT SITUATION CONCERNING POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

Abstract

The survey summarizes information on the current situation in the Kyrgyz Republic (KR) with regard to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – persistent organic pollutants (POPs) – the most dangerous chemical compounds that adversely affect human health and the environment and, according to the Stockholm Convention on POPs, need to be completely eliminated. Sources of PCBs in the KR are previously imported industrial products, i.e. electrical facilities, transformer oils, paints, various lubricants, etc. According to the National Implementation Plan of the Stockholm Convention by Kyrgyzstan, an inventory of PCB-containing equipment has been conducted in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2006-2015. The results of inventory are summarized and examined critically. It is emphasized that at the moment the Kyrgyz Republic has no possible way of exporting PCB-containing equipment and oils to other countries for disposal, moreover, a problem of organizing a central warehouse for temporary storage of hazardous waste has not been solved yet. The necessity of making decisions at the government level referring to the disposal of PCB-containing waste in the KR is underlined. To this end, it would be advisable to consider exclusively options for using technologies of unburned disposal of POPs-containing waste, instead of using a more costly and less environmentally friendly method of waste incineration.