TSIP Regional Training- Buenos Aires, Argentina

Countries covered by training: Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay

The Toxic Site Identification Program (TSIP) endeavors to identify and screen contaminated sites in low- and middle-income countries where public health is at risk. With about 5,000 sites identified so far, and more than 1,800 screened on site, TSIP assists in understanding the scope of the problem.  Analysis of the data and trends in the TSIP database indicates that as many as 200 million people may be affected.

In order to carry out site assessments, Pure Earth utilizes a network of national experts in each country to visit and document hazardous waste sites. These national investigators, often from the environment or health departments at a national university, are trained to identify and assess contaminated sites using a rapid assessment tool called the Initial Site Screening (ISS) protocol.   The ISS identifies major elements of a contaminated site, including estimated population at risk, key pollutant information, human exposure pathway data and sampling data. As part of the training, a field visit is made by the group to demonstrate the methodology for assessing the human health impact of toxic sites.

All consultants are trained over two-day workshops held jointly with government representatives. The workshop is technical in nature and dedicated almost entirely to describing the ISS. A field visit is made by the group to demonstrate the methodology.

June 25-26, 2009

Investigators present: 9