Where are Where are Russian PCBsRussian PCBs

One of the largest One of the largest manufacturers of PCBs in manufacturers of PCBs in the USSR was located in the USSR was located in the city of Dzerzhinsk the city of Dzerzhinsk (Nizhny Novgorod (Nizhny Novgorod region). About 145 region). About 145 thousand tonnes of PCBs thousand tonnes of PCBs were produced there were produced there under the brand names under the brand names sovol (1939-1990), sovtol sovol (1939-1990), sovtol (1939-1987) and (1939-1987) and trichlorobiphenyl (TCB) trichlorobiphenyl (TCB) (1968-1990). (1968-1990).

The long-term production and use of PCBs had an impact on The long-term production and use of PCBs had an impact on

the environment in Dzerzhinsk and Russia in general. the environment in Dzerzhinsk and Russia in general.

Repeatedly, PCBs were found in the soils of Dzerzhinsk. In Repeatedly, PCBs were found in the soils of Dzerzhinsk. In

1995, during the World Health Organization (WHO) project to 1995, during the World Health Organization (WHO) project to

assess the contamination of breast milk in women of assess the contamination of breast milk in women of

Dzerzhinsk, PCB concentrations were the highest among 5 Dzerzhinsk, PCB concentrations were the highest among 5

cities of Russia - 19.65 pg TEQ / g fat. cities of Russia - 19.65 pg TEQ / g fat.

In 2005, within the framework of the International In 2005, within the framework of the International

Project IPEP, assessment of the Project IPEP, assessment of the

contamination contamination of food by POPs inof food by POPs in

chicken eggs chicken eggs of Dzerzhinsk and of Dzerzhinsk and

Nizhny Novgorod households fNizhny Novgorod households f

ound high ound high concentrations of PCBs. concentrations of PCBs.

The first public inventory The first public inventory of PCBs in Russia of PCBs in Russia

Russia has stopped the Russia has stopped the production of PCBs production of PCBs about 20 years ago. In about 20 years ago. In order to fulfil the order to fulfil the requirements of the requirements of the Stockholm Convention Stockholm Convention to remove PCBs to remove PCBs containing equipment containing equipment from use, it is from use, it is necessary to necessary to understand where understand where PCBs are located. PCBs are located.

According to an inventory carried out by Arctic According to an inventory carried out by Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) and Minpromnauka at the end of the (AMAP) and Minpromnauka at the end of the 1990s, about 30,000 tones of PCBs filled in 1990s, about 30,000 tones of PCBs filled in equipment and containers were found in the equipment and containers were found in the whole country. whole country. In 1999 there were 985 tonnes of PCBs recorded in In 1999 there were 985 tonnes of PCBs recorded in the Nizhny Novgorod region. However, in 2005, the Nizhny Novgorod region. However, in 2005, when eco-SPES carried out its inventory in the when eco-SPES carried out its inventory in the region, only 8% of these quantities (120.5 tonnes) region, only 8% of these quantities (120.5 tonnes) were found. were found. In 1999, there were 336 transformers and about In 1999, there were 336 transformers and about 14,000 capacitors and in 2005, only 53 transformers, 14,000 capacitors and in 2005, only 53 transformers, and 984 capacitors were still in operation. and 984 capacitors were still in operation.

It is possible that due to loss of documentation It is possible that due to loss of documentation

or poor labelling, contained equipment was not or poor labelling, contained equipment was not

included in any records and continues to be included in any records and continues to be

used. The equipment might also have been used. The equipment might also have been

decommissioned and the PCBs wastes illegally decommissioned and the PCBs wastes illegally

destroyed or given to private entrepreneurs for destroyed or given to private entrepreneurs for

"recycling". In addition, several entities "recycling". In addition, several entities

previously holding PCB equipment had been previously holding PCB equipment had been

subject to bankruptcy or liquidation.subject to bankruptcy or liquidation.

In addition to the inventory, assessments of In addition to the inventory, assessments of polluted sites have been undertaken under the polluted sites have been undertaken under the IPEP project. For example, in the waters near IPEP project. For example, in the waters near the waste landfill in Nizhny Novgorod and the waste landfill in Nizhny Novgorod and Dzerzhinsk PCB concentrations repeatedly Dzerzhinsk PCB concentrations repeatedly exceeded the maximum allowable levels. exceeded the maximum allowable levels. In the sediments of the Volosyanikha channel In the sediments of the Volosyanikha channel that for more than 50 years served as that for more than 50 years served as the reservoir for effluent from the reservoir for effluent from the Dzerzhinsk the Dzerzhinsk chemical plants, high concentrations of PCBs chemical plants, high concentrations of PCBs were also found. were also found.

Administrative barriers Administrative barriers During the inventory it was found that During the inventory it was found that

environmental authorities in Russia - both environmental authorities in Russia - both regional and federal entities – lack regional and federal entities – lack information on the presence of PCB information on the presence of PCB containing equipment and wastes, containing equipment and wastes, regulations related to PCBs and the regulations related to PCBs and the environmentally sound management of environmentally sound management of PCBs. Russian environmental NGOs are PCBs. Russian environmental NGOs are concerned that the reform of state concerned that the reform of state environmental agencies will result in the environmental agencies will result in the reduction in functions of these agencies, reduction in functions of these agencies, causing further loss of information. causing further loss of information.

On several occasions, eco-SPES has On several occasions, eco-SPES has been consulted by been consulted by private sector enterprises on treatment private sector enterprises on treatment technologies for PCBs technologies for PCBs and on personal protection measures and on personal protection measures to take when handling PCBs. to take when handling PCBs.

Dmitry Levashov Dmitry Levashov NGO NGO eco-SPES,eco-SPES,

Dzerzhinsk, Russia. Dzerzhinsk, Russia.

E-mail: E-mail: levashow@mail.ru