On October 29, 2024, an introductory meeting of the pilot project on polychlorinated biphenyls was held, which aimed to update the inventory data on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and determine their further neutralization or destruction operations.
The introductory meeting was organized by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the Stockholm Convention Regional Centre in Czech Republic, in collaboration with the “Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Centre” SNCO of the Ministry of Environment of the RA.
Under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), ratified in 2003, the Republic of Armenia has undertaken a number of obligations, including the environmentally sound management of PCBs, PCB-containing waste, and goods/products that contain or are contaminated with PCBs.
PCBs stocks located in operating power system equipment (transformer, capacitor, oil circuit breaker, etc.) are subject not only to disposal, but also to recovery for further use in the same equipment.
Edgar Misakyan, Deputy Director of the “Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Centre” SNCO of the Ministry of Environment, delivered an opening speech, noting that the Centre, within its powers, supports the implementation of the Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Minamata conventions. The Centre is equipped with appropriate equipment, which allows for the determination of PCBs content in oils.