Scrap containing PCB, especially condensators from electric installations, have been removed by the Russian mining company Trust Arktikugol from the settlements of Pyramiden (abandoned in 1998) and Barentsburg. The items have been delivered to Longyearbyen for disposal. Pyramiden is now believed to be largely free of relevant materials; work in Barentsburg will be continued.The items delivered recently contain about 30 kg of highly toxic PCBs. Cooperation is working very well, according to Norwegian authorities, who are happy about the results achieved so far: a potential source for future contamination of the environment with dangerous substances has been largely removed, and further progress is expected for the near future.
Additionally, light elements containing mercury have been removed.
In summer 2007, higher PCB concentrations have been detected near the settlements in Spitsbergen, especially near the Russian ones.
Scrap machinery in Barentsburg: potential source for dangerous environmental toxins.