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Identification, Inventory, Sampling, and Labelling of Equipment Containing PCBs in Armenia

On 17 May 2021, a final workshop dedicated to the participation of the Republic of Armenia in the Regional Demonstration Project for Coordinated Management of ODS and POPs Disposal was held in Yerevan. During the event, the components, objectives, and outcomes of the project implementation in the country were presented.

The Regional Demonstration Project for Coordinated Management of ODS and POPs Disposal in Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia aims to demonstrate environmentally sound collection and destruction of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) stocks and Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). This demonstration project assists the participating countries involved in fulfilling their obligations under the Stockholm Convention and the Montreal Protocol. The project aims to improve regulation and strengthen national capacity to identify, assess, manage and treat such waste in an environmentally sustainable manner. The policies and regulations developed during the project are intended to maximize opportunities for public-private partnerships.

The Republic of Armenia participated in the project solely under the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) component, in line with the Stockholm Convention.

During the project, 2,000 samples of oils containing polychlorinated biphenyls were identified, sampled, and labelled to determine the appropriate method of their subsequent neutralisation or destruction.

Sampling and Inventory

It was found out that over 99% of the equipment and oils potentially contaminated with PCBs are owned by one of the project’s main stakeholders, namely the “Electrical Networks of Armenia” CJSC (“ENA” CJSC). It was decided to allocate 2000 samples to be taken as follows:

• 90% – “ENA” CJSC
• 10% – “Gazprom Armenia” CJSC, “Yerevan TPP” CJSC, “International Energy Corporation” (IEC) CJSC, “BEC” CJSC, “Hrazdan Thermal Power Plant (Hrazdan TPP) OJSC.

Following consultations consultation with the management of the ENA CJSC, the allocation of the 1,800 samples assigned to ENA CJSC was agreed as follows:

• Yerevan – 40% (720 samples)
• Gyumri /Shirak Marz – 20% (360 samples)
• Vanadzor /Lori Marz – 20% (360 samples)
• Etchmiatsin / Armavir Marz – 10% (180 samples)
• Jermuk / Vayots Dzor Marz – 10% (180 samples).

Once the inventory, sampling and the first stage labelling of the 2,000 pieces of equipment had been completed, the oil samples have been transported to the Environmental Monitoring and Information Center (EMIC) laboratory. In total 2,032 oil samples were taken during the reporting period, including 32 pieces of equipment that were re-sampled for quality control purposes.

Screening of the field samples with the help of Analyser

Screening was performed using Sea Marconi Total Chlorine and PCBs Screening Device (SM-TCPs) with appropriate SM-TCPs – Potentiometric Test Kit.
Screening was completed by 25 December 2020. The results are summarised in the table below:

As shown in the table, 535 samples screened showed positive results (≥ 50 ppm), which made approximately 27.18% of the total number of screened samples. All 535 positive samples were stored for further GC/ECD quantitative determination of the PCB.

The Second Phase of Labelling and PCB database

As soon as the first batch of screening results became available the corresponding labels were prepared for execution of the second phase labelling that started and continued on weekly basis. At this stage, 2,000 inventory forms were studied and corresponding number of labels (1433 green, 535 yellow labels) were printed. The proper labelling on the sites was confirmed through random inspection visits.

In addition, a new internet-accessible PCB database was developed according to the state-of-the-art standards. The database software operates asynchronously and in a responsive manner.

PCB inventory and screening data, as well as GC/ECD results from both previous and current projects have been uploaded into the database. The system allows users to retrieve information through various filtering options as required.

Laboratory analysis and the Third Phase of Labelling

It was decided to use the capacity of the POPs laboratory of EMIC because it have had over ten years of experience in the field of laboratory analyses of POPs, particularly but not limited to PCBs in different matrices.

Within the framework of the project, a methodology for the GC/ECD quantitative determination of PCBs in oil has been developed. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for GC/ECD quantitative determination of PCBs in oil has been developed, tested, and optimized, according to the methodology.

In accordance with the project plan, GC/ECD quantitative analysis was performed on 200 of the 535 samples that had screened positive. Of these, 162 samples were confirmed to contain PCBs (>50 ppm), while 38 samples returned negative results (<50 ppm).

Lists of the results for these 200 samples, together with the corresponding labels (162 red and 38 green), were provided for the timely implementation of the third phase of labelling. To confirm the proper labelling of the equipment inspection visits to randomly selected substations were performed.

The inventory results and data collected in the PCB database were analysed to estimate the quantity and distribution of PCB-contaminated oils in Armenia and to determine the most appropriate methods for their decontamination or destruction.