Public environmental inventory of pesticides in the Republic of Azerbaijan and organization of a public movement for their elimination.
The study conducted field visits to specific districts of the country and found local pesticide storage facilities had been liquidated in connection with the privatization of lands of former collective and state farms. The most hazardous conditions were found at the site for liquidation of banned and obsolete pesticides (at a distance of 54 km from Baku). Concrete containers for highly toxic pesticides and chemicals were opened and toxic substances were scattered at the site area. Residents of the nearby villages still apply these chemicals to their land plots. The study also included an independent analysis of statistical data on population morbidity in connection with pesticide application. The findings were discussed at a seminar entitled "Pesticides and the Environment," which was conducted with the participation of representatives of NGOs, municipalities, relevant governmental bodies (the Ministry of Agriculture, the Public Health Ministry, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources) and mass media outlets.
Outputs:
Report on hotspot identification of obsolete pesticides inventory
50-page brochure on pesticides, environment and public was prepared and distributed
Seminar with NGOS, relevant government ministries to discuss results