Protection of the environment

One of our earliest still running programs in the field of conservation is titled Civil Service for Environmental Protection. The objective of this program is to help local people find their way in the labyrinth of the system of authorities. Our main task is to draft petitions and present them to the competent local authorities. Reports are followed up with investigations on the spot, and evidence is gathered and registered. Unfortunately there is a constant need for our mediatory service.

Waste management: The utilization of waste materials and salvaging of dispose prove to be of crucial importance in the process of protecting our environment. We feel that waste handling is really an area where significant changes can be made. Regarding the importance of wastage treatment, we put great emphasis on the sensible handling of the masses of litter we produce day by day. As an organization we have arranged professional days, trainings, selective collections, made suggestions on handling and storing junk material on the largest housing estate of our town, and organized the collecting of used batteries in almost every institution of Hajdúböszörmény. We have even set up the statue of litter...

In 1996 we offered our help to the local authorities, and made a study on the possible ways of the environmental protection in our town including the surrounding area. The study titled "Proposals to the Program for Environmental Protection in Hajdúböszörmény" included 13 major units; each of these had been worked out by an environmental specialist. We are proud of the fact that most of our proposals were adopted in the municipality's program for environmental protection.

Molybdenum project: One of the biggest companies of our town is a multinational company with more than two thousand employees. Because of its very special technologies throughout the manufacturing process huge amounts of molybdenum have been dissolved not only into the grounds around the factory but into the soil of the area of the local sewage cleaning plant, too. Molybdenum was found in the slime and mire of Brassó Brook and in the subsoil water in the neighbouring areas as well. Molybdenum is a rare heavy metal; and in 1997 we initiated a project to explore and investigate the effects of molybdenum presence on life. We are sad to say but it is true that the company that is indeed responsible for dissolving molybdenum into the soil and this way caused serious pollution is not amenable to any action because of lack of related law. During the project Varga Gábor, a specialist in heavy metals from Székesfehérvár was asked to be our expert of the theme. The objective of the project was to compile a study based on research and measuring, as well as to propose possible solutions. Although our contact with both the factory and the municipal service for public utilities was straight and fair-dealing, we could not manage to reach the point of solving the problem because the multinational company refused accepting the charge.

Afforestation project: Due to the fact that we had one of our members in the municipality between 1994 and 1998 our association managed to plant several thousand of saplings in the institutions of our town and on the public areas in the given period. In addition to whole rows of trees and trees planted as memorials we considered the afforestation of the local sewage cleaning plant's neighbourhood of primary importance. Here one of the most serious problems was the proximity of the residential area because the sewage sometimes gives off an offensive and foul smell. Another part of our afforestation project was the establishment of a seedling nursery jointly with the local Széchenyi István Agricultural Technical Institute, but later this cooperation fell short of our expectations.

Environment conscious health care: Dr. Deseő Emil otolaryngologist initiated and completed a two-year project aiming to explore and measure noise emission and oscillation in our town. He compiled a list of proposals based on his findings. Recently the municipality has launched several projects in order to oust and supplant ragweed (ambrosia) that causes mass manifestations of allergy. During the project our members surveyed the public areas in our town (Where can ragweed be found and in what quantity?) and compiled demonstrative materials for all the institutions that joined the program.