Barbados Presentation on the Management of POPs & PCBs

Transcription

1 UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Barbados Presentation on the Management of POPs & PCBs Presenters: Anthony Headley & Mark Welch Environmental Protection Department Ministry of the Environment, Water Resources & Drainage

2 Barbados: synopsis ST. LUCY ST. PETER ST. ANDREW ST. JOSEPH ST. JAMES ST. THOMAS ST. JOHN ST. MICHAEL ST. GEORGE ST. PHILIP CHRIST CHURCH

3 Barbados: synopsis Most easterly Caribbean island Area: 166 sq. miles, 431 sq. km Population: ~280,000 Tropical climate Main industry: tourism Main agricultural product: sugar cane

4 Chemical Imports 2001 data Pesticides: 2,067,067 kg Fertilisers: 7,447, kg Petroleum Products: 380,526, kg 2007 data Pesticides: 1,808,238 kg Fertilisers: 8,923,315 kg Petroleum Products: 516,241,929 kg

5 Assessment of POPs Issues: POPs Pesticides The following are banned, under the Pesticides Control Act: Aldrin, chlordance, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, and heptachlor Severely Restricted: Hexachlorobenzene, mirex and toxaphene are not licensed for use

6 Assessment of POPs Issues: PCBs No regulatory control 187 pieces of equipment found which may contain PCBs 116 of these pieces of equipment are out of use Generally, not enough information to confirm PCB presence or absence

7 National Implementation Plan NIP has been completed, submitted and endorsed by cabinet, and is currently in the implementation phase Implementation phase of plan is progressing according to schedule

8 Priorities Identified To properly dispose of existing POPs waste To raise public awareness of POPs and the need for their safe management and disposal To maintain and update national inventories of POPs To establish administrative procedures to control/ regulate PCB importation To carry out testing to conclusively determine PCB-containing equipment

9 Priorities Identified To ensure the phase-out and disposal of PCBcontaining equipment still in use To promote and require the use of BAT and BEP to reduce emissions of dioxins and furans from all facilities To improve the quality of data on emissions of dioxins and furans

10 Status of POPs/ PCBs in Barbados POPs Pesticides a 22 litre drum of endrin was identified along with several other similar drums, and are currently being stored awaiting proper disposal PCB Equipment BL&P equipment (13 transformers and 20 capacitors) to be shipped off island The POPs stockpile and the single confirmed PCB stockpile are properly stored.

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13 Challenges The lack of an adequate regulatory framework Lack of coordination amongst key agencies and poor information exchange. Undefined roles and responsibilities of relevant authorities.

14 Challenges (cont d) Lack of the required technical infrastructure Lack of adequately trained personnel Limited financial resources

15 Major Issues to be Addressed Development of legislation to regulate and manage the importation, use and disposal of hazardous substances Establishment of continuous environmental monitoring programs, capable of assessing various risks faced, and developing mitigation measures

16 Issues (cont d) Increased personnel to properly monitor and enforce regulations Development of a comprehensive database of POPs and PCBs that is readily accessible to all key agencies Implementation of public awareness and educational campaigns

17 Current Activities in the Management of POPs & PCBs The Environmental Management Act (currently being drafted) The Health and Safety at Work Act (waiting to be proclaimed) SAICM Implementation Plan

18 Annual testing of groundwater samples there has been no detection of POPs pesticides or PCBs in ground water samples Public Awareness Campaign Incorporation of BAT and BEP considerations into EPD s EIA review process Encouragement of voluntary reporting of POPs products, stockpiles and wastes

19 Encouragement of voluntary reporting about PCB management activities Incorporation of Convention into relevant operational plans and programmes and inclusion in Government s annual estimates of expenditure

20 UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants THE END Presenters: Anthony Headley & Mark Welch Environmental Protection Department Ministry of the Environment, Water Resources & Drainage