Technical,policy and legal aspects of chemical time bombs with emphasis on the institutional action required in eastern Europe

Technical, economic and institutional conditions are changing rapidly in Eastern Europe. the area has inherited a high level of chemical pollution of soil and water resources, leading to grave risks of chemical time bomb effects. With the current financial and manpower constraints and the general stress on the new economies of the subregion, any substantial environmental improvements reversing past trends will require considerable time, during which chemical pollutants will continue to accumulate in soils and waters. Special emphasis is given to diffuse and accelerated pollution from inappropriate or changed land uses. It is suggested on the basis of recent legislation on transboundary and national chemical pollution in Europe that national policies, priorities and legislation shoud be developed throughout Eastern Europe.