Destroyed pesticide storage facilities and warehouses
Site Name: Joint Stock Company "Ak-Suu Chemistry"
District: Ak-Suu
Description of the Site:
This site belongs to the former Ak-Suu peasant farm. In the same location, there is site number 4. This site raises concerns due to a partially open shed that was used for storing pesticides in the past. The shed is in acceptable condition, with the floor partially made of concrete. It is currently used as a cow barn. There is still a small amount of pesticides in this shed. The condition of the pesticide packaging is very poor. The bags are partially torn, and there are empty containers lying around, with liquids and powders spilled and scattered on the floor.
Quantities Stored:
Overall, we counted and assessed the following quantities of pesticides:
• 500 kg of Kotoran 80 WP in powders, stored in torn and closed bags
• 1,200 kg of unknown powders in torn and closed bags
• 30 kg of solidified liquid in rusty cylinders
• 1 m³ of contaminated empty packaging
• 10 m³ of soil contaminated with outdated pesticides covering the floor (analysis needed for confirmation)
Potential Risks:
The Environment. Due to the poor packaging of some outdated pesticides and the partially open shed, it can be assumed that outdated pesticides may have entered the nearby environment with wind, rain, and snow entering the partially open shed.
The former pesticide storage is used as a barn. Cattle are constantly present in the shed. There is direct contact between the cattle and the outdated pesticides. Pesticides enter the food chain through the cattle.
The shed is located on a fenced private property, but people (the farmer and his children) enter the shed to drive the cattle in and out. As noted, outdated pesticides and empty contaminated packaging are scattered on the floor, allowing for direct contact between people and outdated pesticides, which they may carry (on shoes, clothing) into their homes.
Joint Stock Company "Ak-Suu Chemistry"
Site Location
Site Number: 4
Site Name: Joint Stock Company "Ak-Suu Chemistry"
District:
Ak-Suu
Description of the Site: This site is a large old collective farm called Joint Stock Company "Ak-Suu Chemistry." It is the same collective farm where site number 4 is located. This site raises concerns due to a destroyed former pesticide storage facility, which was purchased by an unknown businessman from Bishkek. The new owner demolished the storage facility and sold the bricks. Since the storage was not cleaned before demolition, the masonry mixed with outdated pesticides and packaging materials. We observed signs of liquid spills on the floor of the destroyed storage under the masonry.
Quantities Stored: Registering the quantity of outdated pesticides in this destroyed storage is impossible in such a situation. The floor and the pesticides are completely covered with masonry. Only a small portion of the outdated pesticides is visible between the masonry.
All outdated pesticides are in damaged packaging and are already covered by masonry, but they pose a direct threat to the environment when exposed to the open air. Outdated pesticides are washed away by meltwater and water seeping into the soil. It is likely that the pesticides have already contaminated the surface groundwater. Pesticide-contaminated dust will be carried by the wind and spread everywhere.
People who worked during the demolition of the building inhaled dust contaminated with outdated pesticides. According to information, the bricks were sold and used to build a house near Lake Issyk-Kul. No one was interested in this house because the old bricks were thoroughly soaked with pesticides and emitted a very strong chemical odor in the new construction.
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