Regionally Based
Assessment of Persistent
Toxic Substances
GEF
Central and North East Asia Region (Region VII)
First Regional Team Meeting
Shenzhen, PR China
NOTES OF MEETING
__________________________________________________________________________________
Date:
29-31 May 2001
Venue:
Shenzhen Solid Waste Management Centre
Shenzhen Environmental Protection Bureau
Shenzhen, PR China
Members Present
Mr. ZHANG Liwei
Guest of Honour
Mr. Paul WHYLIE
Project Manager
Prof. M.H. WONG (Chairman)
Regional Co-ordinator
Dr. Kyunghee CHOI (S. Korea)
Regional Team Member
Dr. Elena GROSHEVA (Russian Federation)
Regional Team Member
Dr. Yasuyuki SHIBATA (Japan)
Regional Team Member (on behalf of
Dr. Shin-ichi SAKAI)
Ms. WANG Ji (PR China)
Regional Team Member
Dr. Stephanie MA
Invited Participant
Ms. ZHOU Hong
Assistant to Ms. WANG Ji
Ms. Anna LEUNG (Secretary)
Assistant to Prof. M.H. WONG
Action
1.0
Introduction MH WONG
Prof. WONG welcomed participants to the first Regional Team Meeting of Region
VII. He expressed gratitude to Mr. LI Xiao-tao (Director of Shenzhen Solid Waste
Management Centre, and host of Regional Team Meeting) of Shenzhen
Environmental Protection Bureau for providing support to the project. Prof. WONG
also thanked Mr. Paul WHYLIE (Project Manager) for his continual guidance and
the team members for their cooperation and willingness in accepting the important
tasks of the project. In addition, he expressed appreciation to Mr. ZHANG for the
encouragement and support given by State Environmental Protection
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encouragement and support given by State Environmental Protection
Administration (SEPA) for the project.
1.1
Opening Remarks ZHANG Liwei
Mr. ZHANG extended a warm welcome to the participants on behalf of SEPA. He
stated it was an honour to have the first Regional Team Meeting in China. He
thanked Prof. WONG for the organization of the meeting. Mr. ZHANG also
expressed his appreciation to Mr. WHYLIE for his guidance towards the team
members. Mr. ZHANG informed that the Chinese government has taken an active
role in supporting POPs concerns, and that a Chinese delegation had partaken in
several international meetings. He emphasized the importance of working in a
constructive manner to gather and compile data to provide guidance to international
committees for future preventative action on hazardous chemicals. He also
encouraged the need for support to developing countries because they face more
difficulties and challenges (financial and otherwise) than developed countries on
the issue of POPs/PTSs. Lastly, Mr. ZHANG expressed that he looked forward to
the comments and suggestions of the Regional Report and wished the participants a
successful meeting.
1.2
Additional Remarks Paul WHYLIE
Mr. WHYLIE informed that this was the fourth First Regional Team Meeting that
he attended. He was pleased with the Regional Team and looked forward to
working closely with its members in order to produce a Regional Report that will
be used for establishing the Global Report. GEF's main objective for the
Regionally-Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances (RBA PTS) was to
establish priorities for chemicals and to provide scientific basis for future work. He
also informed that a monitoring project is currently being developed whereby the
RBA PTS project is the foundation for the monitoring project. The RBA PTS is
complementary to the Stockholm Convention of 22-23 May 2001, which is a
landmark treaty. Mr. WHYLIE emphasized that a proactive approach opposed to a
reactive approach should be adopted in the assessment of chemicals in addition to
the 12 POPs which pose a potential threat to humans and to the environment. He
explained that his role, as Project Manager, was mainly to provide guidance to the
team members, and that the team members were responsible for making the
decisions with regards to Region VII. Mr. WHYLIE wished the team a successful
meeting.
1.3
Following, each participant was invited to introduce themselves.
1.4
Mr. ZHANG left the meeting at 9:15 am for another appointment.
2.0
Presentation by Team Members on Previous and Current Work on
POPs/PTSs in Different Regions
Each of the 4 Regional Team Members and invited participant gave a 25-minute
presentation on previous and current work on POPs/PTSs in their respective
country/region. Brief summaries of their presentations are as follows:
1) Ms. WANG Ji (China) Production, use, emission and discharge of several
POPs chemicals were described. China has requested exemptions on several
POPs chemicals for Stockholm Convention. Environmental level data on
most POPs were limited, however, more data was available on DDT. Several
POPs projects have been proposed in China with regards to early action in
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POPs projects have been proposed in China with regards to early action in
implementing Stockholm Convention, strategy and program on reduction
and phase-out of pesticide POPs. SEPA's role in hazardous chemicals was
also outlined.
2) Dr. Elena GROSHEVA (Russian Federation) PCB is a serious concern in
Russia. PCB found in fat of seals in Lake Baikal has increased over recent
years. Pesticide emissions are also a problem since they are emitted into the
atmosphere during forest fires. With regards to dioxin, 65% are released due
to incineration of industrial chlorinated wastes. Albert Biem Institute has
several monitoring stations which would be useful in monitoring
transboundary movements of PTS from other countries. Global POPs have
been accumulating in the northern region of Russia.
3) Dr. Kyunghee CHOI (S. Korea) National strategies and approaches, and
research projects on POPs/PTSs were described which included the 10-year
National Research Plan (1999-2008) and projects on dioxins and small and
medium sized incinerators. Korea (NIER) is currently working closely with
Japan (NIES) on a project to investigate endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Dissemination to public and industry on chemicals were emphasized.
Chemical information exchange systems such as Chem-Net Korea and
ESCAP Clearinghouse system were described.
4) Dr. Yasuyuki SHIBATA (Japan) POPs/PTSs related activities in Japan
were described. These included an outline of the environmental law and
monitoring system, and the new Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers.
Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has implemented a 3 phase system in
which certain chemicals have been targeted as priority listed chemicals
(Phase I). Some of these chemicals will then be subjected to a 1- year water
and air survey (Phase II). In Phase III, monitoring in indicator organisms,
water and sediments (and ecological/ecotoxicological survey) will be
conducted.
5) Dr. Stephanie MA (Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Environmental
Protection Department is currently undergoing a study of toxic substances
pollution in Hong Kong. Its primary focus is on pollutants released into local
waters with an objective to identify and quantify the trends of pollution.
Information is being gathered through desktop surveys, baseline field
surveys and questionnaire and telephone interviews. The study involves the
establishment of a Priority Toxic Substances List.
3.0
Overview of the Project Paul WHYLIE
Mr. WHLYIE gave a presentation on the overview of the project. Key points
mentioned included:
· Criteria for defining a persistent toxic substance.
· Examples of PTS other than the 12 POPs.
· One key objective was to obtain existing data. Currently, a monitoring
program was being developed to collect new data.
· PTS website lists over 500 country experts, however, it should be noted
that the list also consists of names of bureaucrats and administrators who
are not experts on PTSs. Regional Team members were requested to review
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are not experts on PTSs. Regional Team members were requested to review
RT Members
the list and submit names of scientific experts to Regional Co-ordinator by
WONG
end of June 2001. Compiled updated list will then be forwarded to Project
WHYLIE
Manager and uploaded onto website. It was noted that the expert list should
be continuously expanded.
· UNEP have sent letters to POPs Focal Points and country experts
requesting for participation to the project.
· Original project period of Sept. 2000August 2002 has been extended to
Dec. 2002.
· Original data collection period of April 2001-November 2001 had been
extended to Dec. 2001/Jan. 2002.
· Method for data collection is to be decided upon team members. Some
Regional Teams have created focal points (i.e. organizations) within each
country to act as a data collection.
· Aim to have 15-20 people (not including team members) at each of the
Technical Workshops.
· A representative from each country must be present at the Regional Priority
Setting Workshop.
· Small team to work on Global Report will mainly consists of Regional
Team members.
·
Global Report will be presented to GEF in late 2002/early 2003.
· Website will have intra-regional team communication.
3.1
The following UNEP documents were tabled to the team members by the Project
Manager:
1) GEF: Bibliography for a Selected Number of Persistent Toxic Substances
2) Workshop Reports from a Global Environment Facility Project
3) Guidance Document for the Collection, Assembly and Evaluation of Data
on Sources, Environmental Levels and Impacts of Persistent Toxic Substances
4) POPs brochures
Since there were insufficient copies available, additional copies will be sent to the
WHYLIE
team members.
4.0
Objectives, Workplan and the Timetable Paul WHYLIE
The objective, workplan, and timetable were accepted by the team members in
principle. As implementation of the project had been slightly delayed, several of the
initially proposed deadlines have been changed to a later date. The following points
were noted:
· Concerted effort should be made to expand and develop expert network
and to foster communication between different regions.
· Regional Co-ordinators may have an additional meeting in June 2002
WONG
· Regional Co-ordinators have primary control of regional data on the
Information Management System.
· A team of 2-3 experts on transboundary modeling is being formed by
the Project Manager to work with regional teams on transboundary
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the Project Manager to work with regional teams on transboundary
data.
· Funds from the project budget are available as incentive to country
experts for the filling out of the questionnaires.
· 2nd Steering Group meeting will be held in October 2001 instead of
April 2001.
· 4th Steering Group meeting will be held at approximately same time
when regional reports are ready.
4.1
The document "Preliminary Survey for Selection of Priority Chemicals for Each
Region" was discussed. The survey, which had been previously prepared by the
Project Manager, listed 28 chemicals. It was emphasized by the Project Manager
that the list was to serve only as a guideline for the prioritization of PTS and that it
was not an exclusive list. The list may also be forwarded to country experts for
their views. The regional assessment should be based on the 12 POPs and 4-5 other
chemicals which are a concern to the region. After a brief discussion by the team
about each chemical on the preliminary survey, it was decided that each team
RT Members
member would prepare another list on priority chemicals relevant in their respective
countries and then forward to the Regional Co-ordinator for compilation of a
WONG
master prioritization list. These chemicals will then be included into the Regional
Report.
5.0
Terms of Reference for Regional Team MH WONG
Prof. WONG presented the duties and obligations of the Regional Team Members
and Terms of Reference (Annex H of the Project Brief was referred). Additional
points were as follows:
· Additional team members may be invited into the Regional Team as 2nd tier
team members to assist with data collection. These members do not have to
be endorsed by the Steering Group and it is not imperative for them to be
present at Regional Team Meetings.
· If desired, the team members may consider to have a 4th Regional Team
Meeting.
· Project Manager informed that a new financial system was in place in
Nairobi, and recommended that Regional Co-ordinator apply for a request
MH Wong
for funds as soon as possible to cover data gathering budget line, if
necessary.
· The team was informed by Ms. LEUNG that initial contact has already
been made, by the Regional Co-ordinator, with some of the POPs Focal
Points and country experts resulting in favourable responses from some
countries to participate in project.
· Team members are to seek participants from each country in the region to
RT Members
participate in the Technical Workshops.
· Experts residing in countries outside Region VII may participate in the
project if they are regionally knowledgeable.
· Data and information gathered through publications should preferably not
be older than 20 years.
· Project Manager and Regional Co-ordinator cited the "Reference Manager"
as a good tool for downloading publications (i.e. biology abstracts).
6.0
Funds Provided by Project and Support to Data Gathering MH WONG
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Prof. WONG described the general allocation of funds available for Region VII.
An honorarium was available to Regional Team Members of developing countries
to assist with data collection.
With regards to the mechanism for funding, the Project Manager informed that it
was up to the Regional Team Members on how the funds would be utilized. Rules
have not been set by GEF/UNEP for the 12 regions on the utilization of funds since
there were many differences between the 12 regions. Funds may be used to fund
experts and scientists for data gathering, if necessary. In usual practice, funds are to
be given after the completion of work. It may also be necessary to develop terms of
reference for the experts and scientists who assist with information gathering.
Any future questions regarding allocation of funds for data gathering should be
RT Members
forwarded to the Regional Co-ordinator.
7.0
Presentation on Project Web page Paul WHYLIE
Since the RBA PTS website (www.unep.chem.ch/pts/) was not available for
viewing due to server problems, Mr. WHYLIE briefly described the website.
7.1
The website on-line Chat Room will be available in early July 2001 and the GIS
system will be available in September 2001.
8.0
Presentation on data processing Paul WHYLIE
Mr. WHYLIE presented the Information Management System used for the sorting
and management of data from the questionnaires. Questionnaires may be filled out
on-line or they may be downloaded and then filled out manually. Questionaires
submitted on-line must be filled out in English. For questionnaires filled out
manually, Regional Team Members are to be responsible for verifying that all
RT Members
required information have been submitted (i.e. items listed as Importance 1 must be
filled out otherwise the questionnaire will be rejected).
9.0
Examination of Questionnaires
All 13 questionnaires on sources, environmental concentrations, effects and impacts
of PTS were examined in detail. In general, there was discussion with regards to
clarification of some of the terms used in the questionnaires. Specifically, the
points noted were as follows:
· Amendments have been made to numbering of the countries in Central and
North East Asia (i.e. 1. Afghanistan, 2. China, 3. Democratic People's
Republic of Korea, etc.).
· All submitted questionnaires must include a source reference, otherwise the
questionnaire would be rendered invalid.
· Most recent publications/data should be used for reference (i.e. starting
from 2001 back to 1990).
· All units are to be in metric. Prof. WONG pointed out that "tons", which is
not a metric unit, was used in the questionnaire. It was recommended that
WHYLIE
"tonnes" or "t" be used. Mr. WHYLIE will address this discrepancy with
UNEP/GEF.
· Source Category: Industrial Sources (combustion related)- Air Releases, 6
WHYLIE
iii) "year" will be changed to "annum".
· A section on "Abbreviation" will be included in the Listing for Questions
WHYLIE
page to improve clarity of terms used in the questionnaires.
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page to improve clarity of terms used in the questionnaires.
· It was acknowledged that there may be difficulties in obtaining certain
information on chemicals from governments, industries, etc, since some
organisations may be sensitive about making the information public.
· Whenever possible, the location of contaminant sources should be stated as
accurately as possible using the grid maps.
· Worst case situation should be stated.
· Questionnaire on "Environmental Media: Animals" was found to be
WHYLIE
confusing. Mr. WHYLIE stated the questionnaire will be amended for
clarity.
· Exposure by food consumption should be included in the questionnaire on
WHYLIE
"Humans". Questionnaire will be amended.
· Mistakes were found in the Chinese translation. Amendments were made
WHYLIE
by Ms. WANG and submitted to Mr. WHYLIE. Amendments will be
made on the website.
10.0 Review the Mechanisms for the Technical and Priority Setting Workshops
Dates and places for the workshops and meetings have been tentatively decided as
follows:
1st Technical Workshop: 15-17 January 2002 (Japan)
2nd Technical Workshop: 2-4 April 2002 (Hong Kong)
2nd Regional Team Meeting: 11-13 June 2002 (Korea)
Regional Priority Setting Workshop: 31 July-3 August 2002 (Russia)
3rd Regional Team Meeting: 3-5 September 2002 (Beijing)
10.1 The following points were noted:
· There will be a call for scientific papers to initially screen for participants
to the Workshops.
· The best scientists and experts should be invited to participate in the
project.
· The Project Manager will develop generic agenda for the Technical
Workshops.
· It was considered that since some invited participants to the Technical
Workshops and the Regional Priority Setting Workshop may be unable to
speak English, language translators would be necessary.
· The project should be transparent.
10.2 The following team members have accepted responsibility for data gathering from
RT Members
the following countries:
· Dr. GROSHEVA: Russian Federation, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
· Dr. CHOI: South Korea, (N. Korea)
· Dr. SAKAI/ Dr. SHIBATA: Japan
· Ms. WANG: China
· Prof. WONG: Kazakhstan
WONG
10.3 With regards to Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dr. CHOI will contact
CHOI
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inquire about contact person for PTS. In addition, it
was mentioned that since previous POPs workshops had been attended by persons
from N. Korea, Mr. Paul WHYLIE will contact these persons using the POPs
WHYLIE
workshop as a link.
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workshop as a link.
10.4 With regards to Taiwan, it is also not recognised by the United Nations. However,
it was agreed by the team members that Taiwan should not be ignored as it is a
significant contributor of chemical discharges and emissions. Due to political
sensitivity, Ms. WANG stated that she would seek advice from China's Ministry of
WANG
Foreign Affairs on how Taiwan should be addressed. Mr. WHYLIE will also seek
WHYLIE
the advice of Mr. Jim WILLIS (Director, UNEP Chemicals) on this issue. Prof.
WONG will be responsible for obtaining data from Taiwan.
10.5 Northern section of Russia is currently being covered by AMAC, but is only data
on breast milk.
10.6 Afghanistan is not recognized in the United Nations system, and will not be
included in the regionally-based assessment.
10.7 Team members will be responsible for key topics as follows:
CHOI &
· Assessment of PTS Sources and PTS Concentrations in the Environment -
SHIBATA/
CHOI, SHIBATA/SAKAI
SAK AI
· Assessment of (eco)toxicological impact of PTS and transboundary
transport - GROSHEVA, WONG
GROSHEVA &
· Assessment of regional capacity and needs to manage PTS, and the root
WONG
causes of the problems - WANG, WONG
WANG &
WONG
11.0 Review the Outline for the Regional Report MH WONG
Reference was made to an amended version of the Draft Outline for the Regional
Report (Annex G of the Project Brief). The amended version incorporated decisions
made at the First Regional Co-ordinator's Meeting held on 6-8 March, 2001
(Geneva).
The following decisions were taken after discussion on the amended outline of the
regional report: (Note that for Chapter 3, CHOI and SHIBATA/SAKAI will be
responsible for Environmental Levels and GROSHEVA and WONG will be
responsible for Toxicological and Ecotoxicological Characterisation).
Chapter
Title
Remarks
Person(s)
Responsible
1
Introduction
All Regional Team members
RT Members
will submit information about
WONG
countries they are responsible
for to the Regional Co-
2
Source
ordinator for collating. Draft
First draft due 1 December,
SHIBATA
Characterisation
2001.
CHOI
3
Environmental
First draft due 1 March, 2002.
SHIBATA
Levels,
Toxicological and
Ecotoxicological
8
Levels,
CHOI
Toxicological and
GROSHEVA
Ecotoxicological
WONG
Characterisation
4
Assessment of
First draft due 1 March, 2002. GROSHEVA
Major Pathways of
WONG
Contaminants
Transport
5
Preliminary
First draft due 1 March, 2002.
WANG
Assessment of the
WONG
Regional Capacity
and Needs to
Manage PTS
6
Conclusions
First draft due 15 May, 2002.
WONG
Draft will be forwarded to
Regional Team members for
comments.
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Bibliography
Referencing will follow the
RT Members
same format as that of
WONG
GEF/UNEP document
"Bibliography for a Selected
Number of Persistent Toxic
Substances".
· Chapter 5 Mr. WHYLIE informed that Section i) The socio and economic
overview of the region should be placed in Chapter 1.
· Mr. WHYLIE informed that the reports of the Arctic and Antarctic regions
could serve as a guide for the reports.
· The Regional Report is to be approximately 100 pages long, single-line
spacing.
· It was agreed that discussion papers prepared by the Regional Team would
be sent to participating experts of Technical Workshops 2 weeks prior to
the Workshops. This would help to ensure that presentations by experts
would be of greater relevance to the project.
12.0 Overall discussion on responsibilities within the network
Responsibilities and outstanding items were discussed, as follows:
· A draft programme format for the First Technical Workshop was tabled
and discussed. It was decided that the technical works hop would consists of
plenary presentations followed by specific presentations (i.e. session on
dioxin and furan and PCBs). There will be no split sessions.
· In order to establish consistency in format of papers received for the
WONG
Technical Workshops, the Regional Co-ordinator will prepare instructions
and guidelines to the presenters. Regional Co-ordinator will also contact
editors to inquire about opportunities for publishing regional reports in
scientific journals.
· Team members who will be hosting Technical Workshops in their countries
SHIBATA
will be responsible for recommending chairmen and repertoires for
WONG
different sessions of the workshops.
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different sessions of the workshops.
· CVs will only be requested from experts who may be attending the
workshops. CVs will not be required from experts involved in data
collection
13.0 Any Other Business
Prof. WONG summarized the mechanisms for the project and the major
responsibilities of the team members.
13.1 Mr. WHYLIE emphasized the importance of developing the expert network (over
the next 3 months) in order to make the RBA PTS project a comprehensive project.
He also stated that another major initial responsibility of the team was to develop
the skeleton of the report. Key points noted were the importance of working
together as a close unit and keeping each other informed on the progress and
development of the project. He will send monthly updates to all Regional Co-
ordinators and team members. In closing, Mr. WHYLIE thanked the Chinese
government for hosting the meeting, and the team members for a successful First
Regional Team Meeting.
13.2 Prof. WONG thanked the team members for their continuing support and
collaboration on the project, and Mr. WHYLIE and SEPA for its encouragement
and support.
14.0 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 am (31 May
2001).
Note:
1) As an invited participant to the First Regional Team Meeting, Dr. Stephanie MA was
present only on 29 May 2001.
Post-Meeting Notes:
With regards to format of Technical Workshops (refer to Clause 12 above), it may be more appropriate and
useful if Workshop sessions are categorized for presentations on a country level rather than on a
subject/chemical level. Thus, program format for the Technical Workshops will be proposed on a country level.
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