2.8.2. Technogenic disasters

Over 500 dangerous units (posing risks from radiation, chemical and fire/explosion points of view) operate on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, including:

-153 radiation;

-234 chemical;

-113 with the danger of explosion and accidents.

The total quantity of used highly toxic substances accounts for approximately 5,000 tons per year (Tab. 2.14).

Table 2.14

Data on thedangerous units from radiation and chemical point of view,operating in the Republic of Moldova

No. / Districts / Basic indices
Total
units / including /

Hazardous and toxic substances

/ pesticides
(tons) / Including (tons)
Chemicallydangerous
units / Radiationallydangerous units / chlorine / ammonia / Sulfuric anhydride
1. /
City of Chisinau
/ 49 / 28 / 21 / 410 / 43.3 / 74.0 / 128.6 / 1.0
2. / Chisinau / 26 / 14 / 12 / 302 / 165 / 2.0 / 29.0 / 4.0
3. /

Ungheni

/ 24 / 16 / 8 / 340 / 60 / 13.5 / 234.0 / 1.6
4. / Tighina / 35 / 28 / 7 / 181 / 354 / 53.0 / 70.5 / 5.0
5. / Cahul / 18 / 11 / 7 / 63 / 86.5 / 7.0 / 40.0 / 5.0
6. / Taraclia / 5 / 3 / 2 / 8 / 110 / 1.0 / 2.5 / 2.0
7. /
Lapusna
/ 30 / 21 / 9 / 68 / 198 / 5.5 / 31.5 / 14.0
8. /

Balti

/ 49 / 24 / 25 / 158 / 244 / 39.2 / 88.0 / 2.0
9. / Edinet / 41 / 23 / 18 / 191 / 134 / 14.0 / 58.5 / 4.0
10. / Orhei / 18 / 13 / 5 / 57 / 167 / 37.5 / 8.0 / 4.0
11. / Soroca / 19 / 11 / 8 / 26 / 61 / 8.10 / 12.5 / -
12. / Gagauzia / 22 / 14 / 8 / 60 / 241 / 3.5 / 23.0 / 8.0
13. / Transnistria / 51 / 28 / 23 / 511 / 565 / 175.0 / 141.0 / 3.5
TOTAL / 387 / 234 / 153 / 2375 / 2300 / 430-500 / 800-860 / 50-108

Over 500,000 persons work and live in areas of possible contamination following chemical accidents.

During the last 2 years, 5 radiationaccidents and 22 chemical accidents occurred on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

As a result of the explosion of acontainer with sulfuric anhydride at the wine-making factory in Cahul, in May 2002, about 0,5 ha of agriculture land were polluted.As a result of a similar explosion at the wine-making factory in Straseni, in June 2002, 4 persons were injuredand two of them are now disabled.

The accidental release of 200kg of ammonia into the air occurred at the industrial refrigerator in Mereni led to the pollution of about 1.5 ha of agricultural land.

Two containers with ionized irradiation sources were stolen from the Falestisugar factory and the dairy factory “Alba” (Balti).These present significant risks for human health.

Great material and human losses are caused by fires. According to the statistical data, over 36,000 fires occurred during the last decade. Due to the prompt reaction of firemen, over 4000 persons and material goods in amount of Lei 850 million have been saved (Tab. 2.15.).

Table 2.15

Damagescaused by fires

Year / Fire / Material damage, million Lei / Saved material goods,
million Lei / Deceased, adults/
children / Persons saved
1992 / 4341 / 3.2 / 14.4 / 79/15 / 26
1993 / 4083 / 1.4 / 44.4 / 132/31 / 45
1994 / 4180 / 1.2 / 8.4 / 111/20 / 75
1995 / 3191 / 3.1 / 17.1 / 160/17 / 86
1996 / 3170 / 4.8 / 17.9 / 129/10 / 725
1997 / 3116 / 4.8 / 10.9 / 175/21 / 37
1998 / 3079 / 7.4 / 19.3 / 151/9 / 66
1999 / 2702 / 22.8 / 233.8 / 117/16 / 917
2000 / 2794 / 11.3 / 179.1 / 156/15 / 739
2001 / 2706 / 13.8 / 180.5 / 174/19 / 829
2002 / 2846 / 14.2 / 125.2 / 194/12 / 637
Total: / 36208 / 88.0 / 851.0 / 1578/234 / 4179

At the same time the material damages accounted for about Lei 83 million, while 1578 persons died, including 234 children.

In 2002, the following technogenic disasters occurred:

Residential areas. In 2002,there were 10 explosions in apartments. Most of them were caused by the violation of the rules of exploitation of household gas appliances. 8 persons were injured. An explosion of acetylene gas in a Chisinau flat causedthree wounded and one deceased.

Detection of unexploded munitions. In 2002, 46 cases of unexploded World War II munitions were detected. The violation of security norms led to explosion of munitions in Chisinau district. Two persons deceased andone was wounded. Most cases of munitions detection have been registered in the Tighina district (30).

Car accidents. In 2002, 2899 traffic accidents were registered (+4.9% as compared to 2001). 412 persons deceased (-1.9%) and 3509 persons were injured (+3.4%).

Fires. 2846 fires were registered in Moldova in 2002 (+ 5% as compared to 2001), including 654 in the city of Chisinau (+ 3%). 194 persons deceased (+ 10%), including 12 children (50% less). 253 buildings and 55 technical units were destroyed, 1275 tons of fodder were burnt and 184 domestic animals died.

The material damage caused by conflagrations accounted for about Lei 14,229 million (+ 2% as compared to 2001), including Lei 3,288 million in the city of Chisinau. 637 persons and material goods in amount of Lei 125,202 million were saved from fires.

In 2002,a total number of 107 emergency situations occurred in the Republic of Moldova, including 24 at special units, and 66 situations of local scale, 7 of regional scale and 10 of national scale. As a result, 230 persons deceased, including 14 children. These included:

-natural calamities – 42, with a material damage accounting for Lei 108,835 million;

-technogenic calamities – 65, with a material damage accounting for Lei 0,213 million;

-fires – 2846 with a material damage accounting for Lei 14,278 million.

The total material damages caused by disasters and fires accounted in 2002 for about Lei 123,278 million (Fig. 2.38).



The number of natural calamities increased in 2002 by 31% as compared to 2001. This increase is due to the following dangerous natural phenomena: strong wind (increased twice), floods

Fig. 2.38. Material damages caused by disasters in 2002, million Lei

caused by torrential rains (in 2001 no floods were registered), torrential rains with strong wind (4-foldincrease). Most calamities were registered in the Lapusna district (10), Cahul district (10) and Gagauzia (8). As a result of natural calamities 51 victims have been registered, including 7 deceased.

The number of technogenic disasters increased in 2002 by 8% as compared to 2001. Most of them were registered in the districts of Tighina (30), Balti (9), Ungheni (7) and the city of Chisinau (5). As a result of technogenic disasters 71 victims were registered, including 29 deceased.