CENS role: Project coordinator
Executor department: EGD CENS
Duration (Years): 2015 - 2017
Funding Source: State budget supported grant, State Committee of Science MES RA

In different regions of the Republic of Armenia mercury is a health risk factor to local people. Presently available information is insufficient for identifying sources, estimating pollution volumes and extension, revealing areas at risk, assessing levels of mercury pollution of different environmental compartments and finally evaluating health risks to the population. The available reference information of the state monitoring system contains no data on mercury. The proposed project goal is to identify mercury pollution sources, assess ecological-geochemical health risk on the example of city of Vanadzor. Such a research is essential for ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in Armenia. The expected project results having a scientific and practical value will allow 1) getting information about present-day levels of mercury pollution of different environmental compartments, potential mercury pollution sources and risks, 2) understanding Armenia’s role in and contribution to global processes of mercury pollution and combating mercury pollution, 3) providing information to competent agencies for proper implementation of a process of ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury in Armenia.