New equipment for measurements of air and soil pollution levels during the process of extracting the lindane chemical and its isomers from the area of former chemical plant “Ohis” was promoted Monday at the laboratory for chromatographic analysis of the Institute of Chemistry within the Skopje-based Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Naser Nuredini said the event confirms the ministry’s objective to solve the long-standing problem of pollution.
“These activities are part of a decade-long process of finding solutions for the hotspots in our country, especially the ‘Ohis’ site. We have signed a cooperation agreement with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) that is set to launch in July. These funds are provided by the Kingdom of Norway, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project, and the Government,” said Minister Nuredini.
Norwegian Deputy Head of Mission Geir Johansen said the country has donated EUR 1,5 million for rehabilitation of the lindane-affected soil within “Ohis” over the past three years.
“The Nordic Progress project has provided the equipment for measurement of the soil pollution levels in ‘Ohis’. This equipment will provide the Institute with exact measurements but also give scientific findings more legitimacy. We are pleased to cooperate and will continue to cooperate with the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia,” said Johansen.
The equipment will analyse organochlorine pesticides in soil and air samples during the process of extracting the remaining lindane and its isomers from the site.
