First Stage of PCB Remediation at Chemko Strazske Site Completed

Strazske, September 17 (TASR) – The first stage of remediation of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been completed at the Chemko Strazske site in Kosice region, the Environment Ministry's communications department told TASR on Wednesday, adding that since June a total of 150 tonnes of toxic waste has been transported from the site in lorries under strict safety conditions. "After almost half a century, we've finally rid the people of the Zemplin area of one part of their toxic waste. We're also working with experts to prepare a comprehensive solution for other sites with chemical contamination. Our actions speak for us, not photos with toxic waste, which every minister came to take pictures of but with nothing significant ever happening in the end," said Vice-premier and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee). The waste from Strazske was transported to a specialised facility in Vienna, where it was professionally and ecologically disposed of. The first stage was carried out by a company called Detox. Its executive director Daniel Studeny added that the waste was homogenised and transported in hermetically sealed barrels. "These barrels were disposed of at the facility along with their contents. The metal containers in which the toxic waste was originally stored are undergoing thorough decontamination at a specialised facility. The area in which the waste was stored was cleared and cleaned, and samples were taken to test for possible contamination of the work area," explained Studeny. The Environment Ministry is working on the second stage of hazardous waste remediation at the Heating Plant facility in the Chemko Strazske compound. By the end of the year, it plans to announce a public tender for the disposal of approximately 5,000 barrels of hazardous waste containing PCBs. Work is also continuing on preparing a geological survey project for the site. am/df