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AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE IN ARMENIAN MINING REGION 'CONTAMINATED'
Naira Bulghadarian
http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/24099694.html
12.05.2011
Armenia -- A copper smelter in Alaverdi.
Researchers from Armenia's National Academy of Sciences claim to have
found high concentrations of toxic substances in agricultural produce
grown near two mining enterprises in the northern Lori province.
A research center of the state-funded academy released this week the
results of a year-long study of fruit and vegetables grown around
several local towns and villages. According to them, all of these
crops were found to be dangerously rich in toxic heavy metals such
as copper, mercury and lead.
The study commissioned by the Yerevan office of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe blames that on irrigation water
from the River Debed that flows through the region bordering Georgia.
It says the river was in turn contaminated by two nearby metallurgical
enterprises.
Both companies mine copper and other non-ferrous metals and have
ore-processing facilities close to the Debed. One of them, the
Lichtenstein-registered Armenian Copper Program, also operates a
Soviet-era copper smelter in Alaverdi, Lori's second largest town.
Armenia -- An irrigation canal in a village in Lori region.The plant,
which is Alaverdi's main employer, has for decades been notorious
for its toxic emissions which Armenian environmentalists and some
medics say are responsible for the higher-than-average incidence of
some serious diseases in the area.
According to Anush Evoyan, who coordinates an OSCE project in Alaverdi,
locally grown agricultural products are dangerous for consumption even
if their precise impact on public health has not yet been researched
in detail.
"They are consumed not only by their producers but also reach the
local market and become a risk factor for the population," Evoyan
told RFE/RL's Armenian service.
The authors of the OSCE-funded study believe that local farmers should
not cultivate their land until it is cleaned of toxic metals.
This is hardly an appealing prospect for the mostly low-income
villagers, who seem to be aware of the health risks but continue
to grow their crops. As things stand now, they would have trouble
finding an alternative source of income.
Naira Bulghadarian
http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/24099694.html
12.05.2011
Armenia -- A copper smelter in Alaverdi.
Researchers from Armenia's National Academy of Sciences claim to have
found high concentrations of toxic substances in agricultural produce
grown near two mining enterprises in the northern Lori province.
A research center of the state-funded academy released this week the
results of a year-long study of fruit and vegetables grown around
several local towns and villages. According to them, all of these
crops were found to be dangerously rich in toxic heavy metals such
as copper, mercury and lead.
The study commissioned by the Yerevan office of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe blames that on irrigation water
from the River Debed that flows through the region bordering Georgia.
It says the river was in turn contaminated by two nearby metallurgical
enterprises.
Both companies mine copper and other non-ferrous metals and have
ore-processing facilities close to the Debed. One of them, the
Lichtenstein-registered Armenian Copper Program, also operates a
Soviet-era copper smelter in Alaverdi, Lori's second largest town.
Armenia -- An irrigation canal in a village in Lori region.The plant,
which is Alaverdi's main employer, has for decades been notorious
for its toxic emissions which Armenian environmentalists and some
medics say are responsible for the higher-than-average incidence of
some serious diseases in the area.
According to Anush Evoyan, who coordinates an OSCE project in Alaverdi,
locally grown agricultural products are dangerous for consumption even
if their precise impact on public health has not yet been researched
in detail.
"They are consumed not only by their producers but also reach the
local market and become a risk factor for the population," Evoyan
told RFE/RL's Armenian service.
The authors of the OSCE-funded study believe that local farmers should
not cultivate their land until it is cleaned of toxic metals.
This is hardly an appealing prospect for the mostly low-income
villagers, who seem to be aware of the health risks but continue
to grow their crops. As things stand now, they would have trouble
finding an alternative source of income.