Proceedings
First Technical Workshop
Sources and Environmental Levels of Persistent Toxic
Substances (PTS) in Indian Ocean Region
Region VI : Indian Ocean Region
March 10-13, 2002
(Kuwait)
The First Technical Workshop on Sources and Environmental Levels of
Persistent Toxic Substances (PTS) for the Indian Ocean Region was organised at
the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Kuwait during March 10-13, 2002.
The region is comprised of 16 countries (Bahrain, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Iran,
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, SriLanka,
Mayanmar, Nepal, Yemen, Maldives).
Dr. Nadir Al-Awadhi, DG, KISR, Kuwait welcomed the participants, Dr. Abdul
Nabi-Gadhban, Workshop Coordinator spelt out the scope of the Workshop and Dr.
PK Seth, Regional Coordinator, PTS Programme (Indian Ocean Region) gave an
overview of the project. Dr. M. Y. Abdul-Rahman (UNEP-RPWA) and Dr. Rashid Al-
Rushoud (EPA-Kuwait) spoke on Regional and National perspectives of the PTS
programme, respectively.
Dr. GK Manuweera, Dr. M. Sengupta, Dr. MU Beg and Dr. MYH Khan,
Regional Team Members (Indian Ocean Region) presented the background
documents on sources of PTS in the respective regional countries.
During the three days workshop, the experts from various member countries
of the region presented status reports on PTS of their countries which was followed
by discussions. Two working groups, one on Sources (Dr. Manuweera) and other on
Environmental Levels (Dr. Sengupta) were also formed and discussions were held.
Most of the country experts in their presentations gave some idea about the
status of PTS. However, specific information on PTS enabling to fill up the
questionnaires was not reported. In general, most of the country experts expressed
difficulties they faced in collection of the data/information, particularly on sources of
the PTS as these were reportedly available with the industry and not accessible to
them. Some experts felt that relevant information may be available with some
Ministries and at present, there is no mechanism in their country to interact with them
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to collect the data. Some experts were of the opinion that analytical facilities are
needed to undertake the analysis of various PTS chemicals to fill up the
questionnaires as the required data/information is not available and if available, may
not be accessible or authentic. It was clarified that only the available data is to be
collected and no research is envisaged.
The country experts were provided set of filled questionnaires to serve as an
example to help them learn to fill the questionnaires. Questionnaire on
ranking/prioritising the PTS chemicals were also provided to each expert for filling
after consultations with other experts in their countries to prioritise the PTS
chemicals.
From the presentations/discussions, it was evident that the by- product PTS
chemicals (PAHs, PCBs, Dioxins and Furans) are more important for the Gulf region
countries.
After the working groups discussions it appeared that the country experts
would be able to fill a good number of questionnaires in near future.
Overall, the technical workshop was successful in terms of understanding the
project and catalyzing future questionnaires filling exercise. It provided a close
interaction among the UNEP project team members and country experts and solving
some of difficulties being faced by the country experts. All the participants were
highly satisfied with the workshop as they had opportunity for closer interactions
among each other and clarifying the doubts regarding the PTS program, also, the
long term benefits of the project activities on their countries and whole of the region.
During the workshop, the Kuwait delegation (KISR) showed firm commitments
to mobilize the regional countries for more cooperation for the project commitments.
The UNEP regional office (Dr. Yousif) also assured that he would help in the
data gathering exercise in the region.
The KISR made excellent arrangements for the workshop organization,
providing all kind of facilities through very active participation at all the levels and
extending excellent hospitality to all participants.
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Annexure- IA
PTS Sources in Indian Ocean Region Countries
Pesticide Related PTS
Countries Manufa
Non-
Stockpiles
Waste
Specific sources like
Import/Export Contaminated
Sources
cturing
point
Disposal
contamination sites
or other means
product
Process
Source
sites
etc.
Bhutan
X
X
X
X
Bangladesh
X
X
X
X
X
X
Nepal
X
X
X
X
India
Sri Lanka
Kuwait
UAE
Arabia
Iran
Yemen
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Annexure- IB
Dioxin/Furan/PCBs/PAHs
Countries/
Cement Pulp/paper Chlorine
Metal
Incineration Power
Ship
Waste
Automobile
Sources
based industr processing
Sector
breaking disposal exhaust
site
incineration
Bhutan
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Bangladesh
Nepal
India
Nil
Nil
Nil
Sri Lanka
Kuwait
UAE
Saudi
Arabia
Iran
Yemen
* No established database available about release
** Need capacity/capability building
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TABLE QUESTIONNAIRE FILE
Information Available
Country
PTS Source
Environmental Concentration
Bahrain
A
A
Bhutan
A
A
Bangladesh
A
A
Oman
A
A
Qatar
A
A
India
P
Full/Partial
Kuwait
P
Full/Partial
Iran
A
A
Pakistan
A
Partial
Saudi Arabia
P
P
UAE
P
P
Nepal
P
A
Sri Lanka
A
A
Myanmar
A
A
A= Awaited
P= Partial
Note: 400 Questionnaires filled up on environmental Concentration
None on sources and others
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Regulatory Status of PTS in Indian Ocean Region Countries
Persistent Toxic Substances (PTS)
Country
Aldrin
Chlo
End
Hepta
HCB
Toxap
PCP
PCBs
Mire
Org-
Org
DDT
Dield
HCH
PAH
Dioxin/
Atra
Endos
Org-
Phtha
rdan
rin
chlor
hene
x
tin
Hg
rin
Furans
zine
ulfan
Lead
lates
India
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
NR NR
PB
R
R
R
BP
BP
P/U
P/U
P/U
P/U
Kuwait
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BP
BP
B
B
NA
NA
S. Arabia
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BP
BP
B
B
NA
NA
UA.E.
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BP
BP
B
B
NA
NA
Nepal
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
NR NR
PB
R
R
R
BP
BP
PU
PU
PU
PU
Bahrain
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BP
BP
B
B
NA
NA
Oman
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BP
BP
B
B
NA
NA
Qatar
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BP
BP
B
B
NA
NA
Iran
B
B
B
B
B
B
NA
B
B
NA NA
R
R
NA
BP
BP
NA
NA
NA
NA
Bhutan
Banglades
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
NR
PB
R
R
R
-
-
PU
PU
PU
PU
h
Pakistan
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
BP
B
BP
B
B
B
BP
BP
PU
PU
PU
P/U
-
Sri Lanka
B
B
B
D
B
NR
BP
B
NR NR
B
B
B
B
BP
BP
B
B
NR
NR
Myanmar
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
Not
NA NA
B
R
R
B
BP
BP
NA
NA
NA
NA
P/U
NA
B= Banned; NR= Not registered; PB= Partially banned, R=restricted use, BP= Unintentional By product; P/U= Produced/Used; NA= Information not available
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