EcoLur
Still in 2008 the Government of Armenia adopted decision no. 1186-N dated on 16 October 2008, which directly refers to the panic of April 20 caused by dust cloud above several regions of Armenia and Yerevan. This decision is titled “On Establishing Order for Reacting, Informing and Forecasting Hazardous Hydro Meteorological Phenomena Connected with Excessive Pollution of Atmosphere, Climate Change and Ozone Layer.” This decision lays down the actions of state bodies in case of emergency pollution of atmosphere. That is this decision directly specifies which body must forecast, which body to determine pollution level and which one to inform population, which one is to take care of preventative measures and to save people’s health.
The dust cloud which covered Yerevan, Hrazdan, Armavir and some other settlements showed the government decision again remained on paper and our official departments are not ready to react to even a small, but emergency situation. It should be noted worried residents have occupied editorial offices since the morning wondering what has happened. Different assumptions have been spread in social networks, such as radioactive dust from Japan, dust from explosion at nuclear power plant, dust from cement plant, even toxic dust from gold mines. The truth is so far we have no information what this dust is. Brief statement disseminated by Nature Protection Ministry, which says dust pollution exceeds the standard only by 2-2.3 times in Yerevan, cannot be considered as information.
April 21, 2011