The EPCRC organized a meeting with soil contamination experts on 10th of April, 2018 at our head office.  

Researchers from Department of Environmental Sciences and Chemical Engineering at National University of Mongolia and The Institute of Geography and Geoecology at Mongolian Academy of Sciences kindly received our invitation to discuss about soil contamination in Ulaanbaatar city. During the meeting a few critical points were addressed.

WHAT WERE THE DISCUSSION POINTS?

What is the current situation?

♦ The soil pollution has reached the same level as the air pollution in the city

♦ The city soil is mostly contaminated with bacteria than heavy metals

♦ Soil, contaminated with heavy metals, showed a dot pattern which shows the contamination was detected in small parts. Soil around Khargia sewage treatment plant was distinctively contaminated with heavy metals.

♦ Mongolian Academy of Sciences carried out a soil test from 340 designated areas in Ulaanbaatar city. According to the soil test, the contamination levels of each area were different from each other. In relation to a research conducted in 2011, 72% of the soil test samples were infected by bacteria. However the number increased to 88% in 2014.

What are the main causes?

♦ The main cause of the soil pollution in Ulaanbaatar city comes from so-called ger areas where around one-quarter of Mongolia’s population resides in. Since residents of the ger areas don’t have any access to urban infrastructure, they use pit-latrines which cause many problems from soil contamination to sanitation-related diseases mainly diarrhea. The pit latrine is not the only factor causing soil contamination, location of the gers also play a critical role. Ger areas residents choose to build their homes on the side of hills which is hard for cars to go up during winter times. That is why, residents cover roads going up to the hills with ashes which cause serious level of soil and air pollutions.

♦ Tanneries in the city contaminate soil with heavy metals. This type of pollution reaches the depth of the soil, negatively affecting drinking water. Most importantly it has a serious impact on human genetics.

♦ Also, automotive repair shops cause soil contamination by chemical they use

♦ Pollutions affect each other in an indirect way. Furthermore, air pollution contributes to soil contamination and vice versa.

♦ Since the soil contamination can't be seen as visual as air pollution, it gets less public attention than air pollution.

What should we do now?

♦ Soil Protection and Desertification Law was ratified by the Government of Mongolia in 2012. However the law lacks a responsibility system which is designed to clarify who is in charge of what. That is why it is necessary to provide a legal environment to reduce soil pollution.

♦ There is an urgent need for educating public to increase their awareness abou soil contamination. Most people don’t know about health consequences we suffer from our reckless actions such as public urination and illegal littering. It is highly important to educate children in kindergarten and school about protecting the environment. It is crucial to inlcude environmental programs to kindergarten and school curriculum. To do so, first and foremost task would be to train teachers who have enough knowledge about the environment and its possible problems. 

♦ It is doubtful to say that we can reduce soil pollution in recent years. That is why, right now we have to focus on how to not make the situation worse.

♦ Soil tests of spread and saturation of contaminants should be conducted as soon as possible.