The hazardous waste landfill site is located in Cişmichioi, southern Moldova, close to the Ukranian border and even more dangerously close to the river Danube. It was constructed between 1977 and 1987, and it contains around 4 to 16 000 tonnes of pesticides and other chemicals that amount to the volume of up to 27 000 mᶾ. The exact content of the site, level of security and the potential leaks are yet to be known. The landfill represents a risk to the environment and health of the local population. Since it is located in a rural area and with regards to the proximity of the river, the leak from this site and the pollution resulting from it could potentially contaminate large areas including valuable ecosystems in the delta and even the Black Sea.
Exact data about the area are crucial for a qualified identification of risks and the measures to be taken. In these days the experts from DEKONTA Co. are exploring the landfill and its surroundings as part of the project “Reduction of Risks Associated with Hazardous Waste Landfill in Cişmichioi”. The exploration consists of water, soil, air and other substances sampling that are consequently analyzed using the field measuring appliances and are sent to the laboratories in the Czech Republic for a detailed analysis. Due to the high level of toxicity of the sedimented substances it is necessary to maintain strict safety measures. Protective clothing ensures health safety of the operators that are continuously under medical supervision. Simultaneously, it is necessary to prevent the leak of the substances into the open, which is why the air pollution monitoring is executed on ongoing basis.
The exploration will provide us with important information about the toxic substances and their potential leak into the surroundings. Consequently, based on the received information the experts will carry out a risk analysis and a feasibility study that will provide identification of the temporary risk reduction and the consequent realization of permanent corrective measures.
Check out the pictures in the gallery to see what the works in Cişmichioi look like.