ArmInfo.Experts from the Czech Arnika NGO together with the Armenian "Center for Community Mobilization and Support" NGO and the "EcoLur" Informational NGO , will conduct a new stage of research on chemical pollution in the Ararat community, Ararat region, and in the Melikgyukh village, Aragatsotn region.
The research is carried out within the framework of the "Participation of civil society in chemical safety advocacy in Armenia" project , implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. The press release of "EcoLur" NGO received by ArmInfo, reads.
"As part of our mission, we will focus on areas associated with the extraction and processing of gold ores, which are subject to industrial pollution, in this case, heavy metals. The greatest danger lies in the fact that the impact of heavy metals goes unnoticed for a long time. A person may not notice ongoing changes, as the impact of this group of pollutants accumulates gradually. Long-term residence in a contaminated area may affect future generations. In order to inform local residents about the possible risks, and minimize the impact of pollution on the health and quality of life of residents, we will conduct studies on the presence of severe metals near the places of extraction and processing of ore," program coordinator, representative of Arnika Valeria Grechko says.
Program partner in Armenia, President of the "Center for Community Mobilization and Support" NGO Oleg Dulgaryan believes: "Thanks to the analyzes carried out, residents of communities affected by the mining industry, who have been in information obscurity for decades, will receive information about health risks and about the ecological environment in which they live. This will give them the opportunity to protect their rights both locally and nationally, which in turn will increase the responsibility of the mining industry and public policy in this area, increase citizen participation in environmental issues and their own health."
Since 2018, Arnika has been conducting research on industrial pollution together with Armenian non- governmental organizations. Previously, studies were carried out in Lori and Kotayk regions, in areas affected by the Alaverdi copper smelter, Akhtala Mining and Processing Plant , Shamlukh copper deposit and three tailings, Teghout copper-molybdenum deposit and tailing, Armanis gold-polymetallic deposit and tailing, Mkhart gold mine and tailing, Karaberd gold mine, Meghradzor gold mine. The results of previous studies are available on the website of "Arnika", "EcoLur" and "Center for Community Mobilization and Support".
The purpose of the studies is to assess the impact of industrial pollution on population's health, the environment and the social sphere.
The developed research model is based on analyzes taken according to a specific scheme, including all links in the pollution chain through environmental components (for example, soil, bottom sediments, dust), up to the human body. The model takes into account such factors as the coordinates of the polluting source, the composition of the pollutants, the direction of the winds, the proximity of the source to houses, water bodies and agricultural land, etc. to the maximum.
"Industrial pollution is one of the biggest problems that requires significant resources to solve. Our program creates the necessary basis for legal regulation of the extractive industry and increasing the responsibility of public authorities for the health of the population and the environment. In these processes, the main role is given not only to experts, but also population living in hazardous areas, people who are ready to defend their rights using the provided tools and information about pollution," Inga Zarafyan, "EcoLur" Informational NGO President said.
