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Massive PCDD/F contamination at the Khimprom organochlorine plant in Ufa—a review and recommendations for future management

  • 12th IHPA Forum and selected studies on POPs
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Abstract

The Khimprom plant in Ufa was one of the largest organochlorine production facilities in Russia. This paper summarises the residual pollution of the site with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and highlights the current and future challenges in relation to remediation of the site. Preliminary assessment of the pollution shows large-scale PCDD/F contamination at the site from half a century production of organochlorine pesticides and solvents. This contamination is affecting the city, and 2500 residents live within 3 km with a further 350,000 living within 7 km of the factory. The current PCDD/F pollution of the site and the continuing releases highlight the urgent need for further investigations, for the site to be secured and for the contamination to be remediated. The production history of the plant means that also other unintentionally POPs, mercury and chlorinated solvents need to be considered. The current regulatory framework for PCDD/F-contaminated soil and for defining hazardous waste in the Russian Federation is not appropriate for the management of PCDD/F-contaminated sites. It is therefore suggested that a science-based regulatory framework should be developed. The Russian Federation recently ratified the Stockholm Convention providing a foundation for the development of appropriate regulations and for further assessment, securing and remediation of the site. The impacts of pollution from the Khimprom plant demonstrate that the assessment and management of the organochlorine production sites should be a priority in the implementation of the Stockholm Convention by the Russian Federation and other countries.

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Notes

  1. Commission Regulation (EC) no 199/2006 of 3 February 2006 amending Regulation (EC) no 466/2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs as regards dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs

  2. Landfill mining and reclamation is a process whereby solid wastes which have previously been landfilled are excavated and processed.

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Acknowledgments

The research was carried out with the support of the state assignment of the Ministry of Nature Management and Ecology of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The native reading by Alan Watson and improvement of the text is appreciated.

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  1. Environmental Research and Protection Center, October Ave., 147, 450075, Ufa, Russian Federation

    Zarema Amirova

  2. POPs Environmental Consulting, Lindenfirststr. 23, 73527, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany

    Roland Weber

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  1. Zarema Amirova
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  2. Roland Weber
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Correspondence to Zarema Amirova.

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Amirova, Z., Weber, R. Massive PCDD/F contamination at the Khimprom organochlorine plant in Ufa—a review and recommendations for future management. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 14416–14430 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5048-8

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