27. Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan - ASIA

The waste pond of the Ust-Kamenogorsk capacitors plant is located on mountain slopes. There is a real threat of infiltration of PCBs to the Irtysh River via groundwater. Analysis of samples of soil at the beach and water from the pond revealed that PCBs levels reach 12,438 mg/kg in soil and 0.19 mg/kg in water.

Source categories of waste contamination by POPs:

  Landfilling/dumping/open burning of wastes
  Chemical industry

Data about POPs levels in different environment compartments:

  Soil/sediment
  Waste residue

POPs - Persistent Organic Pollutants:

  Polychlorinated Biphenyls