Attendees at a Sampling and Analysis course in Czestochowa, Poland in September 2013
The Government of Poland and the OPCW jointly organized a specialized course on Sampling and Analysis in a Highly Contaminated Environment, which was held at the Central School of the State Fire Service in the city of Czestochowa from 23 to 27 September 2013 with 18 participants from 15 States Parties.*
The course relates to Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention and offered extensive theoretical knowledge and training in the use of individual protective equipment, including the use of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The participants were familiarised with chemical, biomedical and environmental sampling techniques, which were exercised in different practical sessions.
The course also facilitated exchange of information and experience regarding Article X implementation and provided a forum to discuss potential areas of cooperation among the participating States Parties.
* Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Botswana, Czech Republic, Hungary, Jordan, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Tunisia