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Third meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-3)
19-23 November 2007 | Geneva, Switzerland
Summary Report
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English
November 2007
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Monday, 19 November 2007 Tuesday, 20 November 2007 Wednesday, 21 November 2007 Thursday, 22 November 2007 Friday, 23 November 2007
Daily highlights:
Monday, 19 Nov - Tuesday, 20 Nov - Wednesday, 21 Nov - Thursday, 22 Nov - Friday, 23 Nov

Highlights for Wednesday, 21 November 2007

The third meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-3) to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) convened for its third day on Wednesday 21 November in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the morning, POPRC-3 heard reports on the contact groups and the drafting groups preparing the risk management evaluations before the Committee and the risk profile on commercial octabromodiphenyl ether (c-octaBDE). The Committee also discussed the draft risk profiles for pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), short-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), and alpha hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH) and beta hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH).

In the afternoon, participants discussed Spain’s request to defer until POPRC-4 the discussion of the EU’s nomination to list endosulfan under Annex A, B, or C. The Committee then discussed the revised risk management evaluation and draft decision for pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE). Two options for recommendation to the conference of the parties remain: listing BDE-47 and BDE-99, or listing BDEs with four bromines and BDEs with five bromines. POPRC-3 then discussed operational and other matters, including possible synergies among the chemical-related conventions and the roster of experts.

On Wednesday evening, contact groups met to discuss perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and PeCB. Drafting groups met to discuss bioaccumuation and alpha- and beta-HCH. A contact group on SCCPs is scheduled to meet on Thursday morning.

Ivan Holoubek, Czech Republic, introduced the draft risk profiles for alpha-HCH and beta-HCH, explaining that they differ from other POPs in that they are not just “flyers” but also “swimmers,” which leads them to be more intensively transported.

Dario C. Sabularse, the Philippines, presented the draft risk profile for PeCB. On exposure, he noted the substance is reported to spread globally and has been measured in biotic and abiotic media in both remote and unremote areas.
Mohammad Aslam Yadallee, Mauritius, presented the draft risk profile for SCCPs concluded that: despite the increasing regulation of SCCPs, there are still significant amounts in use; and because of their long-range transport, SCCPs are likely to lead to adverse human health and or environmental impacts.

On Wednesday, the Secretariat launched the electronic reporting system for national reports under Article 15 (Reporting) of the Convention. Video demonstrations are available on the launch website in different languages to guide countries in submitting national reports. L-R: Cees Luttikhuizen, VROM Environment and Spatial Planning, the Netherlands; Osmany Pereira González, POPs Secretariat; and Anthony Daiessen, POPs Secretariat.

In the afternoon, delegates began finalizing their work and discussing conference room papers prepared by contact and drafting groups.

Daily highlights:
Monday, 19 Nov - Tuesday, 20 Nov - Wednesday, 21 Nov - Thursday, 22 Nov - Friday, 23 Nov
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