Obsolete pesticide storage sites and their POP release into the environment—an Armenian case study

Abstract

Organochlorinated pesticides were widely applied in Armenia until the 1980s, like in all former Soviet Union republics. Subsequently, the problem of areas contaminated by organochlorinated pesticides emerged. Environmental, waste and food samples at one pesticide burial site (Nubarashen) and three former pesticide storage sites (Jrarat, Echmiadzin and Masis) were taken and analysed on the content of organochlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls. Gradient sampling and diffusivity-based calculations provided information on the contamination release from the hot spots on a local scale. A risk analysis based on samples of locally produced food items characterised the impact of storage sites on the health of nearby residents. All four sites were found to be seriously contaminated. High pesticide levels and soil and air contamination gradients of several orders of magnitude were confirmed outside the fence of the Nubarashen burial site, confirming pesticide release. A storage in Jrarat, which was completely demolished in 1996 and contained numerous damaged bags with pure pesticides until 2011, was found to have polluted surrounding soils by wind dispersion of pesticide powders and air by significant evaporation of lindane and β-endosulfan during this period. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-contaminated eggs, sampled from hens roaming freely in the immediate surroundings of the Echmiadzin storage site, revealed a significant health risk for egg consumers above 1E-5. Although small in size and previously almost unknown to the public, storage sites like Echmiadzin, Masis and Jrarat were found to stock considerable amounts of obsolete pesticides and have a significant negative influence on the environment and human health. Multi-stakeholder cooperation proved to be successful in identifying such sites suspected to be significant sources of persistent organic pollutants.

Formation of polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDFs) after heating of a salmon sample spiked with decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209)

“…The extract was re-suspended in 1 mL of n-hexane/diethyl ether and passed through multilayered column (two layers of 33 %, 20 % sulphuric acid silica and 1 cm of activated anhydrous sodium sulphate). The analytes of interest were eluted with 40 mL of n-hexane/diethyl ether, evaporated and re-dissolved in 25 μL DMSO for DR CALUX bio-assay (Dvorská et al 2012;Shyu et al 2009;Stronkhorst et al 2002). Briefly, H4IIE cells (70-95 % confluence) stably transfected with an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-controlled luciferase reporter gene construct were cultured in α-minimum essential medium (MEM) supplemented with 10 % (v/v) fetal calf serum (FCS) under standard conditions (37°C, 5 % carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), 100 % humidity).…”

“…The 2,3,7,8-TCDD calibration curve, generated from DR CALUX readings, resulted from a serial dilution of 2,3,7,8-TCDD standards (0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 pM per well). The amount of 2,3,7,8-TCDD bioanalytical equivalents (BEQs) was quantified by comparison of the response in the test sample with the calibration curve for 2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dvorská et al 2012;Shyu et al 2009;Stronkhorst et al 2002).…”

Various Aspects of the Genesis and Perspectives on Agricultural Brownfields in the Czech Republic

“…The risks can follow from former area utilization: storage of potentially hazardous material (preparations for plant protection, pesticides, fertilizers, petroleum and oil products storage); spillage of liquids from agricultural machines; unsuitable agricultural waste treatment; or from activities following the object abandonment -illegal dumps, hazardous waste storage. The ecological burdens of obsolete pesticide storage sites have been documented from various localities (Dvorská et al, 2012).…”

Presença de agrotóxicos na atmosfera e risco à saúde humana: uma discussão para a Vigilância em Saúde Ambiental

“…Much in the same way as these, seven other papers 12,13,15,[20][21][22][23] addressed the issue of air contamination by pesticides from the perspective of environmental sciences (environmental monitoring and risk analysis and assessment), while the methodology for assessing the impact and risk of exposure frequently observed in these studies includes, somehow, analyses of public health interest, such as the estimation of risk or carcinogenic potential related to exposure to pesticides, according to risk assessment methodologies proposed by international agencies of the environmental or health sector, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). • 28 papers…”

“…Finally, of the 12 papers included in the review, six originated from the United States 12-17 , one each from Australia 18 , France 19 , Armenia 20 and Portugal 21 and two in Pakistan 22,23 . These were published in specialized journals in the areas of environmental sciences (n = 9), health (n = 1) and toxicology (n = 2) (Chart 1).…”