PROBO
KOALA SHIP LEAVES ESTONIAN PORT
The Probo Koala, a
Panamanian-registered ship charged with dumping toxic waste in the
Côte d'Ivoire, was allowed to leave an Estonian port to sail to a
treatment plant in Northern Estonia. Estonian authorities had
impounded the ship after the ship's crew asked to offload waste
similar to that dumped in the Côte d'Ivoire. The Estonian
investigation is still ongoing, but the state prosecutor's office
said it was no longer necessary to hold the vessel. Meanwhile,
clean-up operations in the Côte d'Ivoire by a French decontamination
company are expected to take two months, with the sludge scheduled
to be transported to a European country for proper disposal. The
Côte d'Ivoire has announced that the number of casualties from this
incident has risen to 10.
Links to further information
Planet Ark news story, 13 October 2006
Relief Web news story, 13 October 2006
SEPTEMBER 2006
EU EXPORTS OF HAZARDOUS WASTES CONTINUES
Following the disaster in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the Panamanian cargo
vessel Probo Koala, has been detained on 25 September in the harbor
of Paldiski, Estonia. On 19 August, the ship reportedly unloaded
toxic waste in the town of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The shipment had
killed 8 people and apparently harmed another 80,000. Greenpeace had
been blocking the ship at the Paldiski port and only ended its
activities after three days, when the Estonian Attorney General
decided to launch an investigation on the vessel, based on
suspicions that it was trying to dump waste into the Paldiski port
without permission. EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas
condemned these actions and urged EU members to enforce laws in
banning the export of hazardous waste.
Links to further information
ENS report, 28 September 2006
Greenpeace press releases:
25 September 2006
27 September 2006
Sunday Herald,
September 2006
DIABETES LINKED TO PERSISTENT ORGANIC
POLLUTANTSREPORT
A team
from the State University of New York gathered data from 1993 to
2000 for adults living in New York. The study showed that residents
living near hazardous waste sites were 10% more likely to be
hospitalized from diabetes than people living in non-pollutants
affected neighborhoods.
Links to further information
SUNY
study, September 2006
Science News story, 27 September 2006
GREEN "PIONEER" PAUL ANASTAS RECEIVES HEINZ AWARD
Dr. Anastas, "the father of green chemistry", was awarded with the
12th annual Heinz Award for the Environment. An
environmental pioneer, Dr. Anastas, who currently serves as Director
of the Green Chemistry Institute, has encouraged companies worldwide
to develop and adopt greener technologies.
Green
chemistry involves a voluntary, non-regulatory approach that makes
environmental improvements attractive to the industry. These
improvements include the use of less toxic chemicals and more
sustainable industrial processes.
Links to further information
ENS report (25 September 2006)
POLLUTION HITS LAKE,
FLAMINGOES
Heavy
metals have been found in Kenya's Lake Nakuru after feeding into it
from rivers that pass through farmland where fertilizers, herbicides
and acaricides are used. A recent reports suggests that, together
with the destruction of the Mau Forest, this pollution could have
been responsible for the deaths of over 20,000 flamingoes at Lake
Nakuru National Park in the last three months. The Kenyan government
has set up a task force.
Link to further information
East
African Standard report, 9 September 2006
BASEL
SECRETARIAT INVESTIGATES ILLEGAL WASTE IMPORTS
Toxic
material was dumped last month by a Panamanian-registered ship on
about 10 open-air sites in the city of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire,
according to recent reports. Greenpeace said the dumping in this
city of four million people was comprised of 400 tonnes of oil
refining waste, which is rich in organic matter and poisonous
elements. The Secretariat of the Basel Convention on
the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their
Disposal
is investigating whether the wastes are linked to illegal exports
from Europe, since European Union law implementing the Basel
Convention prohibits all exports of hazardous wastes from EU members
to developing countries. The Secretariat is also trying to assess
where the legal responsibility for this disaster lies and if
eventually the Convention's trust fund can be tapped to support
clean-up operations. With this purpose, the Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has confirmed that a
request for international assistance was made on 4 September 2006
for US$13.5 million based on a short-term response plan.
An inter-agency task force has been
established in Côte d'Ivoire
to coordinate UN agencies' response to the situation.
Links to further information
Basel Convention
press release, 12 September 2006
ENS News service, 11 September 2006
UNEP press release, 8 September 2006
WHO SUPPORTS DDT IN MALARIA FIGHT
The
World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a plan to strengthen
anti-malaria efforts that includes DDT use. The new plan supports
wider use of the controversial DDT pesticide, calling for more
indoor residual spraying of DDT in areas where malaria remains an
epidemic. WHO's studies apparently show that DDT is safe when used
properly and constitutes an effective and cheap option for countries
that need to control malaria. Malaria is responsible for over one
million deaths each year.
Links to further information
WHO Press release, 15 September 2006
ENS report, 15 September 2006
WWF VIDEO EXAMINES EU CHEMICALS LAW
WWF
has released a video that shows four members of the European
Parliament discussing the new proposed EU chemicals law (REACH). WWF
has been lobbying for strong legislation.
Links to further information
WWF Press release (5 September 2006)
The
video
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BANS MERCURY IN HOME THERMOMETERS
The
European Parliament's Environment committee has voted to ban mercury
in home thermometers. The vote, on 13 September 2006, also contained
an amendment to the Commission's proposal to extend the ban on
mercury to other devices that cover professional healthcare.
However, the proposal does not include barometers that are sold to
the public. Health and environment organizations urged the Council
to follow the Commission's proposal on barometers. Europe's
Parliament is set to vote on the issue on 25 October and the Council
is expected to reach an agreement on a common position on 4 December
2006.
Links to further information
EurActiv report (15 September 2006)
NGO press release (14 September 2006)
AUGUST 2006
EU DRAFTS PROPOSAL FOR GHS REGULATION; OPENS PUBLIC
CONSULTATION
The
European Commission has drafted a proposal for a regulation that
would introduce the Global Harmonised System of Classification and
Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) into community law. GHS has been
endorsed by parties at the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg and it is meant to be implemented in
domestic law by 2008. The EU is undertaking a public consultation on
this draft proposal that will be open from 21 August to 21 October,
2006.
Link to further information
EC announcement (August 2006)
GREENPEACE RANKS ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY
Greenpeace has released a report in which it ranks top mobile and PC
producer companies according to their environmental performance in
terms of E-waste recycling and the use of chemicals. According to
Greenpeace, no company achieve a fully "green" ranking, although
some performed better than others. Nokia and Dell led the rankings,
followed by Sony Ericsson and Samsung.
Links to further information
Greenpeace "Guide to Greener Electronics", August 2006
Greenpeace news release, 25 August 2006
Yahoo UK News, 30 August 2006
SWITZERLAND TO HOST HEAVY METALS EVENT
The
Swiss Government is set to host full-day side event on heavy metals
in Budapest on 23 September, just before the IFCS Forum V. The heavy
metals event's outcomes are expected to be conveyed to the Forum V
plenary. It is hoped that further discussion will provide an
additional opportunity to further examine the issues and problems
and may assist countries to start implementing SAICM and follow-up
on heavy metal priorities.
Links to further information
The
agenda
Forum V - Side Events
IFCS ANNOUNCES AWARDS
The Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) has announced
the winners of its Award of Merit, a prize recognizing a person or
an organization for their contributions to international activities
on chemical safety. This year the prizes have been awarded to Mr. J.
Roy Hickman and to Dr. Ulrich Schlottmann. A special Recognition
Award has been granted to Princess Chulaborn Mahidol of Thailand and
Chulaborn Research Institute.
Link to further information
Award of Merit, (August 2006)
EU PUBLISHES COSMETIC PRODUCTS GUIDELINES
The European Commission has released a set of guidelines for
consumers to have easier access to information regarding cosmetics
that they purchase. Industry has created a database with information
on companies that produce cosmetics in the EU and with this
information consumers have the option to contact these companies
through a website, by phone or by mail, to inquire about the
products. Consumers can ask to receive information about the
components or the reactions that may have been reported as a result
for using the product.
Links to further information
EU press release, 28 August 2006
EU Guidelines (August 2006)
Industry database
CALIFORNIA CONDORS THREATENED BY LEAD
AMMUNITION
Recently published research suggests that hunting ammunition is the
cause of lead poisoning of the California condors.
Fragments of ammunition that contain lead are found in the remains
of animals such as deer, elk, and feral pigs. These fragments that
are not retrieved by hunters are the source of lead that the condors
feed in. The results of the study may
encourage regulations that force hunters to change the ammunition
they use.
Links to further information
Science News Press Release
The
Research
ALARM RAISED OVER LEAD-BASED PAINTS
A new study has apparently found that unregulated production of
consumer paint in Asian countries contains large amounts of lead and
greatly exceeds the U.S. safety levels. A scientific team at the
University of Cincinnati analyzed 80 consumer paint samples from
India, China and Malaysia and Singapore and found that the first
three countries still produce paint with high levels of lead,
whereas Singapore, which follows the same lead restriction as the
US, produces new paint with significantly lower levels of lead. The
study is found in the journal, Environmental Research.
Links to further information
Environmental Research information
ENS news story, 24 August 2006
TWO CHEMICALS CONSULTATIONS ANNOUNCED
Two
sets of consultations are expected on chemicals management, in the
US and Europe. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has been required to consult with wildlife specialists to
ensure that the use of pesticides will not harm endangered species.
On 29 August, a federal judge overturned a new rule that would have
allowed the use of pesticides, without consultation, in areas where
endangered species have their habitats. For the second time in five
years, the judge has ruled against federal agencies for failing to
follow the Endangered Species Act in licensing pesticides for sale.
ENS news story, 29 August 2006.
Meanwhile, the European Union has launched an external consultation
on the community implementation plan for the Stockholm Convention on
persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The closing date for the
consultation is 10 October 2006.
More
information.
COCA-COLA RELEASES FIRST CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY AND
SUSTAINABLITY REVIEW
Coca-Cola Enterprises has released its first company-wide Corporate
Responsibility and Sustainability Review. The report is based on the
Sustainability Reporting Guidelines for the Global Reporting
Initiative and highlights: the establishment in 2005 of a Corporate
Responsibility and Sustainability Advisory Council; voluntary
changes to nutritional labeling as a result of consumer research and
stakeholder engagement; a 20% reduction in packaging use since 2001;
an estimated 1.53 billion liters of water savings since 2004 through
conservation measures; and adoption of ISO 14001 environmental
management standards in many facilities. The report comes at a time
when the company is facing protests in India, where activists say
its products contain high levels of pesticides and its operations
are depleting water supplies.
Links to further information
GLOBE-Net news release (via WBCSD) (24 August 2006)
Coca-Cola Enterprises Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability
Review 2005
Global Reporting
Initiative
INDIA HIT BY COLA PESTICIDE CLAIMS, OTHER CHEMICALS
STORIES
India has been
the focus of several claims over chemicals management problems, with
"cola" soft drinks, e-waste and high mercury levels all making news.
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE),
a research and advocacy group in India, has released a study asserting
that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo soft drinks contain high levels of
pesticides. The tests, 57 samples from 25 different bottling plants in
12 states, apparently found pesticides in all samples. The residues of
lindane, chlorpyrifos, heptachlor and malathion found, were 24 times
higher than those in the European Union standards. As a result, the
Kerala state in South India banned the production of Coca-Cola and Pepsi
in their state, and several other regions issued partial bans. Coca-Cola
and PepsiCo have taken various actions to demonstrate that their
products are safe for consumption, and Coca-Cola India has cited other
research appearing to contradict CSE's claims.
Meanwhile, another recent news report has focused on illegal exports of
equipment into India from the US and other developed countries,
generating a growth in the "e-waste" problem. One estimate suggests that
near 40,000 tons of used electronic equipment is imported into India
each month. The e-waste issue will be the theme of the 8th
Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention in late 2006.
In other
news, high levels of mercury are reported to have been found in Parad
Shivlings (a metal instrument used for religious purposes) that are
being sold for use in people's home, according to an Indian
non-governmental organization.
Links to further information
CSE website
CSE's report, August 2006
India Resource Center website
Business Week report, 10 August 2006
Coca-Cola India press release, 14 August 2006
Asia
Times
online e-waste report,
3 August 2006
Toxics Link press release on mercury levels, 2 August 2006
EU INITIATIVES AIM TO CUT UNINTENTIONAL POPS
A
recent study prepared for the European Commission has identified
domestic combustion and marine and road transport as the top
generators of unintentional releases of persistent organic
pollutants (POPs). In response to this study, the EU has launched a
public consultation on potential EU initiatives to reduce these
releases.
Four main POPs are being addressed in this consultation: dioxins and
furans, hexachlorobenzene, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons.
Link to further information
WBCSD/ENDS Europe new story (2 August 2006)
JULY 2006
EU ADOPTS NEW PESTICIDE STRATEGY
The
European Commission has adopted a new strategy aimed at improving
the way pesticides are used across the EU. The strategy is intended
to complement the existing EU legislation that controls pesticides
that can be used on the market and takes into account national
action plans, training for professional users, certification and
control of application equipment, protection of aquatic environment
and restricting or banning the use of pesticides in specific areas.
Aerial spraying is banned except in certain specific cases.
Links to further information
EU press release, 12 July 2006
EU
background information, 2006
TV LINK article,
video, 12 July 2006
EBB press
release, 12 July 2006
NEW PROCESS TO MAKE INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS FROM
SUGAR
New
research has been carried to find environmentally-friendly sources
of common chemicals. According to engineering professor James
Dumesic from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, there is a better
way to make a chemical intermediate called HMF (hydroximethylfurfural)
from fructose. The new process is used to make industrial chemicals
from plants and after a catalyst converts fructose into HMF, it is
reportedly fairly easy to convert into plastics or even diesel fuel.
HMF can potentially replace products like PET, the plastic used for
bottles. According to Dumesic, HMF is the first step for a range of
chemical products that can be obtained from biomass resources,
replacing those that come from petroleum sources. The research was
supported by the US Department of Agriculture and the National
Science Foundation.
Link to further information
GreenBiz.com press release (7 July 2006)
JUNE 2006
SAFER CHEMICALS USED BY SIX MAJOR COMPANIES
A
report on "Healthy Business Strategies for Transforming the Toxic
Chemical Economy" has been launched by the nonprofit organization
Clean Production Action (CPA). The report shows the toxics-reduction
efforts by six companies: Avalon Natural Products, Dell Inc., H&M,
Herman Miller, Interface and Kaiser Permanente. The report outlines
how these companies are committed to apply green chemistry and
healthy materials in their production and activities. CPA expects
that the report will be an incentive for other companies to use safe
chemicals and adopt similar practices such as conducting internal
hazard assessments, investing in plant-based materials, applying
green chemistry and green engineering principles and making safe
chemicals research and production a priority.
Links to further information
The
report
GreenBiz.com press release (29 June 2006)
RESEARCHERS TRACK POLLUTANTS WORLDWIDE
A team
of scientists from North America and Europe is publishing a
comprehensive analysis of global concentrations of persistent
organic pollutants (POPs) in the air. The researchers present
information about levels of POPs in the air at 42 sites across seven
continents. In addition to the twelve POPs targeted by the Stockholm
Convention, the researchers also provide data about some emerging
contaminants under consideration for inclusion in the treaty,
including the polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), flame
retardants, and the pesticide endosulfan. Most of the unexpectedly
high concentrations reported in the study are for pesticides banned
by the Stockholm Convention.
Links to further information
Abstract of the report
Science News Press Release (28 June 2006)
MARITIME CHEMICAL SPILLS TREATY TO ENTER INTO
FORCE IN 2007
The Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution
Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances (OPRC-HNS Protocol)
will enter into force on 14 June 2007, exactly twelve months after
its accession by Portugal, the 15th State to ratify the treaty. The
OPRC-HNS Protocol is aimed at providing a global framework for
international cooperation in combating major incidents or threats of
marine pollution from ships carrying HNS. In accordance with the
protocol, ships will be required to carry a shipboard pollution
emergency plan to deal with incidents involving HNS. These
substances are defined as any substance other than oil, which, if
introduced into the marine environment, is likely to create hazards
to human health, to harm living resources and marine life, to damage
amenities or to interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea.
Link to further information
IMO
press release
ORGANIZATIONS CONSIDER STRATEGIC APPROACH TO
CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT
Since
the adoption of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals
Management (SAICM) was adopted in Dubai in February 2006, the governing
bodies of several intergovernmental organizations have given
consideration to the issue. These include:
Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
Decision SS.IX/1, (English, French, Spanish), 9 February 2006;
Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Training
and Research (UNITAR), Decision on SAICM, 27 April 2006
World Health Assembly (for the World Health Organisation -WH0),
Decision WHA59.15 (English, French, Spanish), 27 May 2006
Link to
further information
UNEP Chemicals
website
WWF TARGETS TOXICS IN THE ARCTIC
Conservation organization WWF has recently released a number of news
releases on several issues associated with the finding of toxics in the
Arctic. These include a study of Arctic populations in which several
toxics where found, all related to the use of household items like
televisions, computers and cooking pans. WWF has also published a report
suggesting that the health of many Arctic animals such as polar bears,
beluga whales, seals and seabirds are being impacted by harmful
chemicals. Finally, WWF has released an interactive explanation of how
toxic chemicals reach the arctic.
Link to
further information
WWF information:
20 June 2006 -
15 June 2006
WWF - How chemicals reach the
arctic
SUPPORT GROWS FOR "GREENER" PCs
A major
computer maker has announced that it would phase out the use of two key
groups of chemicals known to be hazardous to the environment. By 2009,
Dell claims that its computers will not include any brominated flame
retardants (BFRs) and the plastic polyvinyl chlorine (PVC). The
announcement coincides with a recent study by Greenpeace showing that
consumers would be willing to pay more for more environmentally friendly
PCs, and that companies should be held responsible for dealing with
hazardous waste from PCs rather than expecting users, retail shops or
the governments to do it. Greenpeace's campaign to pressure electronic
manufacturers into making their products more environmentally friendly
also focuses on the mounting problem of toxic e-waste.
In July
2006, a European Directive (RoHS - Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
will come into force requiring the electronics industry to eliminate
four types of heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and Mercury) as well
as two types of Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs).
Links to
further information
Greenpeace news release, 26 June 2006
Dell announcement, June 2006
COALITION LOBBIES EU MINISTERS OVER PERSISTENT
ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
The POPs
Elimination Network (IPEN) and European Environmental Bureau (a
coalition of citizens' organizations) have called on EU environment
ministers to reject proposals from the European Commission and establish
a protective standard for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in waste.
The Commission is apparently in the process of asking Member States to
approve a policy that IPEN and EEB argue would permit levels of POPs in
waste that are too high. The POPs Convention recommends that POPs should
be destroyed or irreversibly transformed to prevent the continued
build-up of toxins in people, plants and animals (bioaccumulation), and
other threats to human health and the environment.
Link to
further information
IPEN's press release, 15 June 2006
U.S. QUESTIONS DRAFT EU CHEMICALS LAW
The United States and a coalition of other nations have expressed
concerns at the likely trade impacts of the EU's chemical safety reform,
"REACH," according to reports. The
Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals – or REACH –
initiative is now before the EU parliament.
The coalition of concerned countries, which includes Japan, India,
Australia, has apparently argued that the EU law would pose a risk to
developing countries and small businesses. The group reportedly
issued a joint statement on 8 June 2006 asking the EU to revisit its
draft law.
Link to
further information
Euractiv news article (9 June 2006)
EU LAW LIMITS THE USE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON
ELECTRONICS PRODUCTION
A
European law that limits toxic substances in electronic devices takes
effect on 1 July, 2006. Many electronic devices, such as computer
circuit boards and cathode ray tubes, contain substances such as lead
and cadmium that can cause serious health problems if ingested. The EU
has taken a two-tier approach: a law took effect last year requiring
electronic firms to recycle their products and also enacted the
Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, to eliminate lead,
cadmium, mercury and three other toxic chemicals from electronic
devices.
Link to
further information
The Boston Globe
(1 June, 2006)
LABORATORY STUDY LINKS PROSTATE CANCER TO
CHEMICALS IN PLASTICS
Scientists
have found that exposure to a chemical that leaks from plastic causes
genetic changes in animals developing prostate glands that are
precursors of the most common form of cancer in males. The chemical,
bisphenol A, or BPA, is used in the manufacture of hard, polycarbonate
plastic for baby bottles, microwave cookware and other consumer goods,
and it has been detected in nearly every human body tested.
Link to
further information
LA Times
(1 June 2006)
ENS
article (2 June 2006)
CZECH FACILITY WINS PRIZE FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCE
AVOIDANCE
The
Award for Avoidance of Toxic Substances was presented to Olomouc
Hospital from the Czech Republic, for work to phase out medical devices
containing DEHP from its Department of Neonatology. The CleanMed Best
Practice Awards form part of an international biannual conference
dedicated to spreading good environmental practice in health care
through showcasing case studies of progressive practices from health
care facilities around the globe. Criteria for selection include
pollution prevention, waste minimization, and reduction of people's
exposure to toxic substances commonly used in hospitals.
Link to
further information
Arnika
press release (7 June 2006)
MAY 2006
GREEK SHIP SENT FOR DISMANTLING BANNED FROM
BANGLADESH WATERS
Alfaship,
a Greek vessel that was due to be dismantled in Bangladesh shipbreaking
yards, has been banned by the Dhaka High Court from entering Bangladeshi
territorial waters after being identified as a toxic oil tanker. While
the owner of the ship, LSP Tanker Corporation, had reassured the court
that the vessel had gone through the necessary decontamination before
departing, environment and human right groups requested that the ship is
sent back to Europe for pre-decontamination. The vessel is one of about
50 being monitored by Greenpeace.
Links to
further information
Yahoo UK News (3 May, 2006)
Basel Action Network (BAN) (2 May, 2006)
EU TO MAKE BATTERY RECYCLING MANDATORY BY 2008
The
European Union has agreed to a law that will make recycling of batteries
obligatory starting in 2008. The law will ban most batteries with toxic
chemicals such as cadmium and mercury. A quarter of all used batteries
must be collected by 2012 and almost half by 2016. Collection points
where consumers can deposit the used batteries will be established and
all related costs for implementing the new law will be borne by the
industries.
Link to
further information
BBC News (3
May 2006)
"REACH" SCHEME DISPUTES EMERGE
A dispute
between environmental group Greenpeace and the private sector has
emerged over the EU's REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization
of Chemicals) scheme. Greenpeace has recently released a report called
"Toxic Lobby: How the chemicals industry is trying to kill REACH." The
report describes the action that different EU-based companies have taken
to oppose to the proposed reform of the EU chemicals law. It also
compares the projected costs that the reform would cost with chemicals
industries annual sales.
In related
news, the American Chamber of Commerce has argued that the proposal to
establish a list of selected chemicals for safety checks under REACH is
likely to cause massive business disruptions even before it can be
assessed whether they can be authorized or not regardless of their high
toxicity. The group states that the publication of such list may make it
very difficult for companies making consumer products to justify the
presence of "substances of very high concern" in their products. It also
states that manufacturers will require suppliers to provide them only
with raw materials that do not appear on the supposed published list,
forcing them to transform complex supply chain and causing business
disruptions and barriers to trade.
Links to
further information
Greenpeace news release, 4 May 2006
Euractiv News release, 5 May 2006
GREENPEACE REPORTS ON IMPACT OF TOXIC CHEMICALS
ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Greenpeace has released a warning over the possible health problems that
can result from exposure to chemicals in perfumes, carpets, electronics,
clothing and other daily contact that humans have with the different
hazardous substances. In a new report entitled, "Fragile: our
reproductive health and chemical exposures," the environmental group
collects the findings of different studies conducted in recent years
related to the increase of infertility, genital abnormalities and
testicular cancer.
Link to
further information
Greenpeace news release (2 May 2006)
APRIL 2006
EU CONCLUDES CHILD CANCER STUDY ON PHTHALATES
The European Union has concluded a study on
Phthalates, a substance used to soften PVC plastics in a wide range of
applications such as clothing, medical products, cosmetics, toys, child
care articles and food packaging. The substance, which was banned in
2005 from being used in toys amid fears that it could increase rates of
child cancer and asthma if ingested, has been the subject of a long risk
assessment process first launched in 1994. A study released of three
Phthalates (DINP, DIDP and DBP) released on 11 April found that that
DINP
and DIDP are
safe for all uses outside childrens toys and childcare articles'. For
DBP, it
recommended placing limits on workers exposure in processing plants and
using best available techniques for DBP's safe handling. Risk
assessments for remaining Phthalates are still pending.
Link to
further information
EurActiv news report, 21 April 2006
FOX RIVER: PCB CLEANUP FUNDED
Two corporations, NCR and Sonoco-U.S. Mills Inc., have agreed to fund a
US$30 million project on the dredging and disposal of the most toxic
sediments in Wisconsin's Fox River. The companies will design and
implement the cleanup project in order to dredge, dewater and dispose of
about 100,000 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) downstream and west of the De Pere Dam. This project is
part of a legal settlement announced by the U.S. Justice Department and
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Link to
further information
ENS
report, 12 April 2006
OUTDATED MERCURY TECHNOLOGY FACTORY CLOSES
A Washington D.C.-based group working to close down plants it says use
outdated mercury technology for chlorine production has announced that
three of the nine plants it has targeted have "committed to either
switch to go mercury free or shut down." The Oceana group announced in
mid-April 2006 that Occidental Chemical had declared that it would shut
down its mercury-based factory in Muscle Shoals, Louisiana.
Link to
further information
Ocean news release, 18 April 2006
WWF SETS OUT POSITION ON
CHEMICALS WITH ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING PROPERTIES
WWF has published a position paper outlining its views on how to include
chemicals of "equivalent concern" in Authorization (Article 54 (f)) of
the Council Common Position. The briefing proposes the European
Parliament's position on article 54 (f) as an appropriate solution and
provides three examples (Phthalates,
Bisphenol A and Deca-BDE) to illustrate their disagreement with the
Council Common Position wording.
Link to
further information
The paper
NATIONAL TRAINING ON POPS ACTION PLANS ANNOUNCED
An initiative has been
launched to provide national-level training on Action Plan development
and related technical and financial support to 15 Least Developed
Countries that have signed or are Parties to the Stockholm Convention on
Persistent Organic Pollutants.
UNITAR, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and its other Implementing
Agencies, The project is being funded by the GEF, with support from the
Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU). The project builds on
the experience gained and lessons learned through projects in more than
40 countries to-date (including a previous 25-LDC project) to assist in
developing a wide variety of action plans on priority topics of sound
chemicals management.
Link to
further information
UNITAR announcement, April 2006
EPA RELEASES RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR ORGANIC ARSENIC
HERBICIDES; SEEKS RISK MANAGEMENT IDEAS
The US
Environmental Protection Agency is evaluating the potential risks
associated with registered uses of the organic arsenic herbicides and
cacodylic acid, and has identified few risks directly associated with
use of these herbicides. However, the Agency is concerned about the
potential transformation of products applied as organic arsenical
herbicides to inorganic arsenic in plants, drinking water, and soil. The
Agency has requested public comments by 5 June 5 2006, on its human
health and environmental fate and effects risk assessments for the
organic arsenic herbicides, as well as risk management ideas or
proposals.
Link to
further information
EPA announcement, 6 April 2006
PILOT PROJECT BETWEEN ROTTERDAM SECRETARIAT, UNITAR
LAUNCHED
Starting
in April 2006 and with funding from the Swiss Government, UNITAR will be
supporting five pilot countries in developing national plans for the
implementation of the Rotterdam Convention. The project, which was
agreed at the second session of the Conference of the Parties to the
Rotterdam Convention, will build on existing documentation, such as
National Profiles and National Implementation Plans developed under the
Stockholm Convention, and will employ action plan development skills
acquired through previous UNITAR training. Preliminary results of the
pilot project will be presented to the third session of the Conference
of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention in October 2006.
Link to
further information
UNITAR's website
SUNSCREEN TESTS RAISE THYROID CONCERNS
German researchers have reported that chemicals found in many sunscreens
may disrupt the production of thyroid hormone. Experiments on rats
suggest that chemicals used in sunscreens that absorb ultraviolet light
might also have an impact on the human thyroid. The thyroid gland
secretes
hormones that affect growth and metabolism.
Link to
further information
New Scientist article, 3 April 2006
MARCH 2006
CIEL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT POPS LEGISLATION
A
legislative hearing by the US Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous
Materials has been held in early March 2006 to analyze the opposing
considerations from two Congress representatives on how to implement
U.S. legislation for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention. On
31 March 2006, the Center for International Environmental Law published
a letter on its website responding to questions from the Chair of the
Subcommittee of the House of representatives.
Links to
further information
CIEL
U.S. House of representatives
SAICM NATIONAL FOCAL POINTS DESIGNATION UNDER WAY
The
Secretariat of the recently adopted Strategic Approach to International
Chemicals Management (SAICM) has requested governments to designate
their SAICM national focal points according to the provision made by the
agreement.
Link to
further information
SAICM Focal Points (1 March 2006)
PLANTS' RESPONSE TO OZONE DEPLETION MAY HELP
DECREASE PESTICIDE USE – EXPERTS
The way plants respond to increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation could
lead to a decrease in the need for pesticides, according to a group of
experts. Participants at a recent meeting in New Zealand of a group
tasked with synthesizing the most recent scientific understanding of the
environmental effects of ozone depletion – the Environmental Effects
Assessment Panel – discussed plants' response to increased UV radiation.
Some scientists are hopeful that the pigment plants produce to protect
themselves from UV radiation will also prove useful in protecting plants
from pests.
Link to further information
United Press International article, 3 March 2006
EC APPLAUDS "REACH" CHEMICALS REGULATION
A new
study to assess the benefits of the draft "REACH" regulation
(Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) has been
conducted by independent researchers for the European Commission. The
study aims to assess the benefits of REACH on the environment and to
humans who are exposed to chemicals via the environment. The study found
that the draft REACH legislation on chemicals could save the society
billions of Euros in water treatment and other environmental costs such
as sewage treatment.
Link to further information
Euractive web site
NEW CONTROLS PROPOSED ON GASOLINE, PASSENGER
VEHICLES, GAS CANS
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a rule to control hazardous
air pollutants from mobile sources. The new standards would establish
new controls on gasoline, passenger vehicles and gas cans to further
reduce emissions of benzene and other mobile source air toxics.
Link to further information
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency web site
U.S. CONGRESS CONSIDERS OPTIONS ON STOCKHOLM CONVENTION
A
legislative hearing by the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous
Materials has taken place on 2 March 2006 to analyze the opposing
considerations from two Congress representatives on how to implement
U.S. legislation for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on
persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Whereas the bill introduced by one
representative would protect human health and the environment, allowing
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate new POPs, an
alternative bill presented by the opposing representative would not
cover health and environmental protection, thus making it more difficult
for EPA to regulate dangerous chemicals.
Links to further information
The report
from the hearing will be available shortly
here.
CIEL
U.S. House of representatives
FEBRUARY 2006
FRENCH
SHIP DISMANTLING EFFORTS OPPOSED
A decision
by the French government to have a warship dismantled in India has
raised objections from environmentalists. The vessel Clemenceau departed
from France on 31 December 2005 with the objective of being dismantled
in Alang, India. Greenpeace and three anti-asbestos groups had argued
that the departure violated several articles of the Basel Convention,
and the Basel Action Network released a report specifying such
violations. However, a French court authorized the vessel's departure on
the grounds that it was exempt from the Basel Convention because it was
a warship. Meanwhile, the Basel Convention secretariat has stated that
it is not its mandate to render a legal judgment on the case, and that
the individual States would need to be guided by their own national
laws. The Secretariat stated that since France and India are both
Parties to the Convention and they should reach a final conclusion on
the case. Following interventions in both India and France, French
President Jacques Chirac ordered the ship back to France on February 16,
2006.
Links to further information
BBC News
Greenpeace
Basel Action Network
Ministry of Defence of France
Basel Convention Secretariat
BBC News
The Basel Action Network recently released a similar case of a ship
containing asbestos, which is now anchored in Malaysia.
More
information.
UNITAR, SWISS LAUNCH CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT PROJECT
The UN
Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is launching a pilot
project to help three developing countries and one country in economic
transition to develop an Integrated National Programme for the Sound
Management of Chemicals and Waste. The project, which is being funded by
the Swiss Government and will start in September 2006, will focus on
strengthening governance, stakeholder participation, and public-private
partnerships to support national implementation of the recently-adopted
"strategic approach to international chemicals management" (SAICM).
Country projects will take place over a period of three years, from
September 2006 to August 2009. The deadline for submitting an
application package is 31 May 2006.
Link to further information
Applications to New
Pilot Projects Linked to SAICM
JANUARY 2006
THE SONGHUA RIVER SPILL, CHINA DECEMBER 2005: FIELD STUDY REPORT
(UNEP,
December 2005)
A UN Environment Programme (UNEP) field mission was dispatched to China
following
a chemical spill in the Songhua River. A report by the mission team
recommends considering a risk assessment of a random sample of Chinese
chemical factories in order to strengthen safety related procedures so
as to minimize the risk of accidents and the improved handling of
accidents if they do occur. The report also suggests that the Chinese
authorities consider implementing UNEP's Awareness and Preparedness for
Emergencies at Local Level (APELL), which seeks to boost the
coordination of local communities to an environmental emergency, and has
proven to be an effective contribution to the risk reduction of
industrial accidents.
Link to further information
UNEP Report on Chemical Spill Incident in the Songhua River
up to top
