Training Workshop on the Updating of National Implementation Plans (NIPs) for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 4-6 April 2016 Suva, Fiji
Yes or No? Have those items something in common?
THIS PRESENTATION Stockholm Convention and the initial POPs Overview of the POPs listed in 2009, 2011 and 2013 Situation in the Pacific Islands
Stockholm Convention and the initial POPs
At a glance:
Annexes to the Convention Annex A (Elimination) Each Party shall prohibit and/or take the legal and administrative measures necessary to eliminate its production and use of chemicals in Annex A subject to the provisions of that Annex Annex B (Restriction) Each Party shall restrict its production and use of chemicals in Annex B in accordance with the provisions of that Annex Annex C (Continuing minimization) Each Party shall take measures to reduce the total releases derived from anthropogenic sources of each of the chemicals listed in Annex C, with the goal of their continuing minimization and, where feasible, ultimate elimination
INITIAL POPs
INITIAL POPs Pesticide Aldrin + Industrial Chemical Unintentional Chlordane + DDT + Dieldrin + Endrin + Heptachlor + Mirex + Toxaphene + Hexachlorobenzene + + + PCB + + PCDD + PCDF +
GLOBAL ISSUE: obsolete pesticides stockpiles and PCBs 9
OVERVIEW OF THE POPS LISTED in 2009, 2011 and 2013
POPs listed in 2009, 2011 and 2013 Chlordecone Lindane Chemical Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane Beta hexachlorocyclohexane Endosulfan Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether Hexabromobiphenyl Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, its salts and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride Hexabromocyclododecane Pesticides + + + + + + Industrial chemicals Unintentional production By-product of lindane By-product of lindane Annex Pentachlorobenzene + + A, C + + + + + A A A A A A A A B A
Endosulfan Decision adopted at COP5 in April 2011 Entry into force: 27 October 2012 NIPs to be updated 2 years after entry into force Technical endosulfan (CAS No: 115-29-7) alpha-endosulfan (CAS No: 959-98-8) beta-endosulfan (CAS No: 33213-65-9) Listed in: Annex A (Elimination) Production: Exemptions for Parties listed in Register of specific exemptions Use: Exemptions for crop-pest complexes (example: wheat/aphids) as listed in accordance with the provisions of part VI of Annex A
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) Polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are industrial chemicals widely used as flame retardants since 1970s. PBDEs were produced at three degrees of bromination: Commercial Pentabromodiphenyl ether (c-pentabde), production (most probably) stopped in 2004. Commercial Octabromodiphenyl ether (c-octabde) production (most probably) stopped in 2004. Commercial DecaBDE (c-decabde) which is still produced.
Life cycle of c-pentabde (adapted from Alcock et al.2003)
Life cycle of c-octabde (adapted from Alcock et al.2003)
E-Waste management practices Fig. C E-waste recycling residues at river bank SE- Asia
PBDE/BFR Contamination of Recycled Plastic? What is the flow of PBDE/BFR in recycled materials? What articles are contaminated? What are risks to human and the environment? PBDE in children toys South China (Chen et al, ES&T 43, 4200, 2009) The recycling flow of PBDE/BFR containing plastic seems largely uncontrolled. Hence further allowance of recycling of PBDE containing articles (currently) increases the environmental and health risks
Time Trend of POP-PBDEs in Europe Time trend of some POPs in Human milk Sweden.
Use and human exposure of POP-PBDEs PBDE human milk levels from 3rd WHO study for the different regions. Largest use of POP-PBDE in North America with specific flammability standards for e.g. furniture and transport. Malisch R (2003) results 3rd WHO human milk survey
POP-BDEs in the Stockholm Convention In May 2009 at COP 4, Decision SC-4/14 Decision SC-4/18 Listed in Annex A (Elimination) Production: Total ban - No exemption Use: Total ban of use in NEW products and articles Exemption for recycling of articles: May allow recycling of articles that (may) contain the chemicals (octa and penta)
PFOS - bioaccumulation and health effects PFOS bioaccumulates and biomagnifies. The half-live in humans is approximately 5 years. PFOS does not follow the classic POPs-pattern (not into fatty tissues), but instead binds to proteins. Therefore accumulate mainly in organs such as liver, kidney, brain and spleen. In animal studies PFOS causes cancer, neonatal mortality; physical development delays and endocrine disruption.
Listed: Annex B (restrictions and specific exemptions) Past use: Currently: PFOS is both intentionally produced and an unintended degradation product of PFOS-related substances (PFOS precursors). Examples of use include: electronic appliances, fire-fighting foams, water proof for textile, leather, etc. PFOS is still produced and used in several countries. Alternatives: Available for some types of use but no known technically feasible alternatives for some applications e.g. semiconductor, photo imaging
PFOS Use: Acceptable purposes Photo imaging, Photo resist and anti-reflective coatings for semi-conductors, Etching agent for compound semi-conductors and ceramic filters, Aviation hydraulic fluids, Metal plating only in closed-loop systems, Certain medical devices (e.g. ETFE layers, radio-opaque ETFE, in vitro diagnostic medical devices, CCD color filters), Fire fighting foam, Insect baits for control of leaf-cutting ants.
PFOS Use: Specific exemptions 3M stopped PFOS in 2000
Other former uses of PFOS not listed SO THEY ARE BANNED Cleaning agents Polishes for cars/floor Waxes (e.g. ski) Paints Cosmetics
PFOS based aqueous fire fighting foams (AFFF) In 2005 the Buncefield oil refinery suffered the worst petroleum fire within the UK for some decades.
Key considerations - PFOS Areas relevant for assessing PFOS Challenges Articles in use? Stockpiles? (fire fighting foams; Potentially contaminated sites: Fire incidents (where fire fighting foam was used); Fire fighting practice (air ports, refinery, oil), PFOS user (plating industry, others?), Landfills.
SITUATION OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
GEF - National implementation plans under the Stockholm Convention Fiji Marshal Islands Kiribati Samoa Tuvalu Pacific Islands Tonga Solomon Islands Papua New Guinea Nauru Cook Islands Palau
Fiji IN 2013: The main issues in the plan are as follows to address the different Annexes or Articles in the Convention: POPs and other Pesticides POPs focusing on Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls Unintentional Releases of POPs Chemical Stockpiles and Contaminated Sites Public Awareness, Information and Education Research, Development and Monitoring
Kiribati NIPs priority action plans Setting up and running a Chemicals Unit for 5 years Chemicals and Waste Management Unit (2011) Undertaking travelling workshop on each island Action Plan on Policy and Legislation Kiribati Amendment Environment Act 2007 Identified 5 national priorities CC, Biodiversity and Conservation, Chemicals and Waste Management, Resource Management and Environmental Governance Action Plan on Public Education and Awareness Draft National Environment Communication Strategy (2013) Action Plan on Capacity Building Action Plan on Priority Areas Draft National Sound Chemical and Hazardous Waste Implementation Plan (2013)
FSM Hazardous waste in the FSM Includes POPS and electronic wastes (e-waste) Management for POPS is covered by Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plan (NIP) Overlap in the area of organic waste management since burning of organic wastes produces upops E-waste is a growing problem SPREP E-waste strategy as a guide OPT IN COUNTRY
Tuvalu Government priorities: The reduction or elimination of releases from intentional production and use of POPs. Reduction and elimination of unintentional production of POPs. The reduction or elimination of releases from stockpiles and wastes. Measures related to information exchange public information, awareness, and education research, development and monitoring. Target areas: Electricity( PCBsTranformers) Agriculture ( Pesticide) Public Health ( Medical wastes)
Samoa Initial Inventory on POPs -2003 Institutional Capacity Assessment 2004 Trade & Use of Intentional POPs Legally banned in Samoa POPs Contaminated Sites (Cleared and Sealed) PCBs Transformers Banned (phased-out 1986) Obsolete Pesticides Cleared and Re-exported to NZ (Shipped out under FAO Program) New POPs Absence of inventory and update U-POPs minimization controlled and regulated under the Waste Management Act 2010 Motor Vehicles and Power Plants Emission Standards Regulated by the Land Transport Authority and Samoa Electric Power Corporation Air Pollution Control Systems for all major technologies regulated under Planning and Urban Management Act 2007
Palau NIP in Palau Regulatory review: Most of the original 12 pesticide POPs banned Air Quality Regulations: Illegal to burn without a open burning permit, limited to organic matter; no burning of plastics, rubber or oil Several POPs addressed under Water Quality Regulations Landfill rehabilitation also JICA supported and GEF IWP Used oil stored in 1 million gallon tank at Aimeliik Power Plant Last export emptied tank (oil left 2 feet deep) 800,000 gallons (sent to Phillipines) Incinerators two inactive. 1. Airai State 2. Hospital issues with possible release of POPs along with other particles. SAICM supported National Chemical Management Policy New POPs will be incorporated
Yes or No
Quiz time: 1. Write one article containing PFOS 2. Write one articles containing PBDEs 3. Do you know the difference between exemptions and acceptable purposes? Give an example
To remember: Stockholm Convention is a living international treaty 9 new POPs added to the Stockholm Convention in 2009, one in 2011, Pesticides: Main challenge is disposal of obsolete stockpiles Increasing number of industrial chemicals: Widespread distribution in products & articles in use Contamination of recycling streams Environmentally sound disposal of wastes PCB: still an issue!
Vinaka For more information: Contact: Jacqueline Alvarez jacqueline.alvarez@une