The research conducted by Czech "Arnika" organization in the enlarged community of Akhtala, Lori Region, confirmed the presence of heavy metals in the body of the residents in this area, as Valeriya Grechko, a representative of Czech "Arnika" NGO, the coordinator of the program, mentioned this at the online conference organized within the framework of "For Clean Development of Tumanyan Area" project on December 15. She presented the objective of the project and the works carried out.
The conference was organized by “Arnika” NGO (Czech Republic), “Center for Community Mobilization and Support” NGO (Lori Region, Armenia) and “EcoLur” Informational NGO (Yerevan, Armenia). "Concentration of heavy metals in the urine samples of the residents in mining area of Akhtala enlarged community, Lori Region" report was presented by Dr. Miroslav Šuta (Czech Republic), an expert on environmental and health risk assessment. The report presents the impact of the detected heavy metals on human health and the identified hazards.
According to studies, 94% of the samples taken from the children living near Nahatak tailing dump contained arsenic. Another heavy metal, cadmium, was found in the locals’ organisms. Oleg Dulgaryan, President of “Center for Community Mobilization and Support” NGO, the Armenian partner of the project, said that Akhtala residents, who participated in the research, expressed their willingness to demand compensation for the damage caused to their health and economy in court.
Project expert, Director of "Forests of Armenia" NGO, lawyer Nazeli Vardanyan presented the analysis of the exercise of labor rights and obligations in the legislative field. Levon Galstyan, member of “Armenian Environmental Front” initiative, Marie Chakryan, Head of “Public Monitoring and Information Center” NGO, Tehmine Yenoqyan, representative of “Green Armenia” NGO, director of “Young Environmental Researchers” NGO, Associate Professor Angela Baltayan, PhD, made presentations.
Alternative use expert Mikhail Skulina (Czech Republic) presented the report entitled "Alternative use of former industrial facilities", which was discussed by the participants.
The conference was attended by RA Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Arkady Balyan, Head of Department of Hazardous Materials and Waste Policy of RA Environment Ministry Anahit Alexandryan, active citizens of Akhtala community and representatives of civil society.
"Children of Akhtala under Constellation of "Arsenic"" social video made by "EcoLur" was screened at the conference.
The program "For the Clean Development of the Tumanyan Region" was implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
"For Clean Development of Tumanyan Area" project is implemented with the financial support of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Czech Republic.
December 18, 2020 at 12:09