ArmInfo. The problem with waste disposal from the Yerevan chemical plant "Nairit" continues to worry both the Armenian authorities and the public of the republic.
Earlier, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the republic noted that a huge amount of work needs to be done at the enterprise to solve the existing problem. Several discussions have already taken place in the government on this issue. In order to avoid risks, this waste is guarded around the clock, and the Rescue Service is also in operation.
The issue was also the subject of a meeting held on October 2 at the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia, which was chaired by the head of the service, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Kamo Tsutsulyan. The discussions were attended by specialists from the National Center for Technical Security, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Environment, the National Security Service, and other structures. The central place on the agenda was occupied by the current activities of the interdepartmental working group formed by the order of the Prime Minister, aimed at developing possible mechanisms for handling chemicals on the territory of Nairit Plant CJSC and neutralizing their impact on the environment. Kamo Tsutsulyan emphasized the need for active interdepartmental cooperation in the direction of safe handling of chemicals on the territory of the enterprise CJSC. He paid special attention to the issues of storage and control of chemicals, noting that ensuring safety requires joint and consistent work. Kamo Tsutsulyan touched upon a number of issues of reducing the risks of emergency situations and implementing preventive measures. Following the discussion, it was decided to form a package of proposals that will be presented to the members of the working group and then transferred to the office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia for the effective organization of further processes. After the bankruptcy of the enterprise, about 13 thousand tons of hazardous waste remained on its territory.
In an interview with ArmInfo correspondent, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Chemistry and Science and Earth, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Honored Scientist of the Republic of Armenia Levon Tavadyan noted that proposals had been made by the Russian side to solve the existing problem, but the problem was never resolved. The most important thing is that the initiative of the Russian colleagues offers solutions related to all waste, except for the problem of disposal of ethynol varnish, of which about 1,200 tons have accumulated. This mixture is extremely dangerous due to its explosive nature. The academician recalled that during the period when the plant was being built, it was erected outside Yerevan, and today the enterprise is part of the capital of Armenia, and the presence of such dangerous substances can lead to unpredictable consequences. "The shelf life of ethynol varnish, which is heterogeneous in composition and distribution, is several times longer than the established norm. The substances are in rusty tanks and pose an extreme danger to others. In the event of a fire hazard, a detonation effect may occur, but it is impossible to simply burn them, just as it is impossible to remove waste due to the wear of the containers," said Levon Tavadyan.
He emphasized that the Armenian government proposed that the National Academy of Sciences, and in particular, the Department of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, study this issue. "A special commission was created to study the problem, serious discussions were held with specialists at the Problem Council under the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences and the Scientific Council on Seismology, Earthquake Engineering, Natural and Man-Made Disasters, during which issues of decontamination of these substances and their disposal were considered," the academician emphasized. Levon Tavadyan added that during the discussions, a proposal was received from the head of the Armenian company "Ecoatom" Gagik Martoyan, who proposed a heat-free electrical technology for waste disposal and its conversion into a commercial product - soot, which, in particular, can be used in road construction, and nanographite. However, Levon Tavadyan continued, the proposed technology has not been tested, since there is no appropriate equipment. In this matter, one can count on the experience and assistance of the Russians. Martoyan's project itself was approved and sent to the relevant authorities, the process is under consideration. "The problem of waste disposal must be solved comprehensively and as quickly as possible. At the same time, we must keep in mind the considerable funds that are spent on ensuring the current safety of the enterprise," the academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia summarized.
Recall that the Nairit plant, built in the 1930s, was among the six largest global producers of synthetic rubber, occupying 10% of the world market. Currently, the enterprise is bankrupt and has been idle for a long time.