FIRST TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP MEETING
SOURCES AND CONCENTRATION OF PERSISTENT TOXIC
SUBSTANCES, REGION VIII , SINGAPORE, 6-9 FEB 2002
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
The First Technical Workshop on Sources and Concentration of Persistent
and Toxic Substances was organised by the Regional Team 8 under the
UNEP/GEF Project on Regionally Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic
Substances. The Workshop was held in Singapore from 6 to 9 Feb 2002
1.2
The main objective of the Workshop was to review and discuss regional
data on sources and concentration of PTS and to act as a forum for country
experts of the region to present their work on sources and concentration of
PTSs. The workshop papers and results of discussions will be used to
prepare a first draft of the Regional Report in these areas
1.3
13 country experts from Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia,
New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam and four
members of the Regional Team 8 attended the Workshop. The list of
participants at the workshop is at Annex 1.
1.4
The Workshop was chaired by the Regional Team. The Workshop was
held both in plenary and in working group sessions.
2
Workshop Programme
2.1
The Agenda of the Workshop is at Annex 2.
2.2
Dr Gil Jacinto, the Regional Coordinator for Region 8, briefed participants
on the background and salient features of the UNEP/GEF Project on
Regionally Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances. Professor
Desley Connell, Regional Team member, made a presentation on the
movements of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) in the Global
Environment. The key conclusions were that POPs in the global
environment are dominated by chlorohydrocarbons and that POPs such as
DDT, HCB, HCHs and PCBs are widely distributed in trace amounts in
air, water and biota
2.3 Mr Lim Kew Leong, Regional Team member, presented an overview of
the data on sources of PTS within the Southeast Asia and South Pacific
region collected by the Regional Team and country experts to-date. The
sources covered include air releases, solid residue releases and water
releases. It was found that few countries in the region have comprehensive
published source and emission inventories of PTS. Work was in progress
in several countries to compile inventories of PTS using the UNEP toolkit.
He requested participants to help provide further data on the sources of
PTSs to the Regional Team
2.4
Dr Md. Sani Ibrahim, Regional Team member presented on the data
collected on environmental levels of PTS in the region. Most of the data
were on levels of PTS in fishes and other aquatic organisms. Some work
has been reported on levels of PTS in water, soil and sediment but no
recent report on PTS in air was found. He requested participants to help
provide further data on environmental levels of PTS to the Regional Team.
2.5
Over the first two days of the workshop, the country experts presented
country reports on studies and projects on compilation of inventories of
PTSs and environmental levels of PTS.
2.6
A site visit to a refuse incineration plant, the Tuas South Incineration Plant,
was held in the afternoon of the second day. Participants were briefed on
the operation of the plant and the advanced pollution control equipment for
control and removal of dioxins/furans.
2.7
On the third day, participants were divided into two working groups to
review regional data on sources and environmental concentrations and to
identify regional priorities on the PTSs of concern. Scoring tables on
degree of concern over each of the PTS in respective countries and the
availability of data were used The workshop papers, presentations are at
Annex 3 (in CD-ROM format)
3
DISCUSSION
3.1
With the exception of Australia and New Zealand and to a lesser extent
Malaysia, Singapore, Phillipines and Thailand, quantitative data on PTS
sources and emission inventories were generally sparse. Participants from
several countries reported that they are working on projects to compile
inventory of dioxin emissions based upon emission factors and
methodology in the draft UNEP toolkit. Preliminary data from these
studies were presented. However, quantatitive inventories of other PTSs
were generally unavailable. Qualitative indications of the sources of PTSs
were discussed. Most countries in the region have banned or severely
restricted the use of most of the PTSs pesticides and industrial chemicals.
However, some participants indicated that some of these banned pesticides
may still be used in their countries despite such bans or restrictions.
However, quantitative data on the use of such pesticides were unavailable.
3.2
Some participants felt that unintended byproducts such as dioxins, furans
and PAHs from combustion sources were of concern as there are
significant sources such as industrial or waste combustion processes and
open burning of agricultural wastes or vegetation/forest fires in the region.
Participants were asked to provide more data on industrial activities, and
burning of biomass such as agricultural wastes or vegetation/forest fires.
Emission factors from the UNEP toolkit or other reliable published
documents could then be used to obtain estimates for such PTSs. It was felt
that where available, source monitoring data should be used.
3.3
A number of participants felt that endosulphan, which is widely used in the
region, should be regarded as a key PTS of concern to the region.
3.4
While there were a number of studies on levels of PTS in fishes and
marine organisms, there were few recent studies on levels of PTS in other
animals in the region. No recent work has been reported on the levels of
PTSs in the air. Studies on on blood levels of DDT, lead and mercury in
humans were conducted by researchers in Singapore. Malaysia is initiating
a programme to screen the population for organochlorine pesticides and
POPs. Australia reported a comprehensive programme of monitoring PTS
levels in human milk. More up to date studies need to be conducted to
obtain a better picture of PTS impact on human health. This area would be
discussed further at the next technical workshop.
3.5
Based upon the scoring tables and discussions, the PTSs were ranked by
the participants in the following order of concern :
1.
Endosulphan
2.
Dioxins
3.
Phthalates
4.
Organic Tin Compounds
5.
Furans
6.
PAHs
7.
DDT
8.
PCBs
9.
Chlorinated paraffins
10.
Organic Lead
11.
Nonyl phenols
12.
Atrazine
4
Conclusion
.1
The Workshop has successfully met its objectives. There were active
participation and sharing of information on studies done or being
conducted. The Workshop has contributed towards building up networking
amongst country experts in the region. Useful information and data has
been obtained during the Workshop to help prepare the first draft of the
Regional Report on sources and levels of PTS.
7.0
Acknowledgement
5.1
The Regional Team expressed its sincere appreciation to the valuable
inputs and cooperation that have been extended by the participants to the
Workshop and to the Singapore organising committee for the logistical and
administrative support / arrangements for the Workshop
ANNEX 1
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
S/N REGIONAL TEAM
Country
1.
Regional Coordinator /Team Leader
Philippines
Gil S Jacinto (Dr)
University of the Philippines
1101 Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: (632) 9223962
Fax: (632) 9247678
e-mail: gilj@upmsi.ph
Team Members
2.
Professor Des Connell
Australia
School of Public Health
Logan Campus
Griffith University
Meadowbrook, Qld 4131
Australia
Tel: 07 3382 1027; Fax 07 3382 1034
e-mail: D.Connell@mailbox.gu.edu.au
3.
A/P Md. Sani Ibrahim
Malaysia
School of Chemical Sciences
Universiti Sains Malaysia
11800 Minden
Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-6577888 ext: 3555
Fax: 04-6574854
e-mail: sani@usm.my
4.
Mr Lim Kew Leong
Singapore
Chief Engineer
Pollution Control Department
Ministry of the Environment
40 Scotts Road
Singapore 228231
Tel: (65) 67319675; Fax: (65) 67319725
e-mail: Lim_Kew_Leong@env.gov.sg
COUNTRY EXPERTS
Country
1.
Greg Miller (Dr)
Australia
Envirotest
Lot 12 Don Young Rd
Mt Gravatt Research Park
Nathan Q 4111
e-mail: envirotest@uq.net.au
2.
Lee Hoon Lim (Dr)
Brunei
e-mail: leehoon@fos.ubd.edu.bn
Chemistry Department
Faculty of Science
University of Brunei Darussalam
Tungku Link BE 1410
Brunei Darussalam
3.
Chrin Sokha (Mr)
Cambodia
Chief of Water and Soil Quality Management Office
Department of Environmental Pollution Control
Ministry of the Environment
Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Tel: (855) 12893001
Fax: (855) 23 364849/215925
e-mail: 012893001@mobitel.com.kh
4.
Joeli Hartono Rianto
Indonesia
e-mail: joeli@indo.net.id
Ministry of Agriculture
Head of Pesticide Registration Division and Acting for the
Secretary of Pesticides Committee of the Republic of
Indonesia
Jl Harsono RM No. 3 Ragunan Jakarta
Tel: (6221) 7816086
Fax: (6221) 7816086
5.
Mazlin Mokhtar (Associate Professor)
Malaysia
Director
Centre for Public & International Relations
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
43600 UKM BANGI, Selangor, Malaysia and
Fellow Institute for Environment & Development (LESTARI)
43600 UKM BANGI, Selangor, Malaysia
e-mail: mazlin@pkrisc.cc.ukm.my
COUNTRY EXPERTS
Country
6.
Dr Zaini @ Zaini B. Assim (Associate Professor)
Malaysia
Deputy Dean (Research & Services)
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
Tel: 6082-671000 ext 268
Fax: 6082-672275
e-mail: zaini@frst.unimas.my
7.
Dr Christopher Silverio
Philippines
Chief Science Research Specialist
Environmental Division
Industrial Technology Development Institute
Department of Science and Technology
General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro-Manila
Tel: (632) 837 2071 local 2207-2208
Fax: (632) 837 3167
e-mail: Cms20001998@yahoo.com
8.
Maricar Prudente (Dr)
Philippines
Science Education Department
De La Salle University
2401 Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines
Tel: (632) 524 4611 local 158
Fax: (632) 536 0232
e-mail: msprudente@yahoo.com
cedmsp@mail.dlsu.edu.ph
9.
A/P Foo Swee Cheng
Singapore
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
National University of Singapore
Tel: (65) 874 8721
Fax: (65) 7791936
e-mail: chefoosc@nus.edu.sg
10
Ms Rohaya Saharom
Member, Working Group on PTS, Singapore
Pollution Control Department
Tel (65)67319654
COUNTRY EXPERTS
Country
11.
Ms Pornpimon Chareonsong
Thailand
Environmental Scientist
Pollution Control Department
92 Soi Phahon Yothin 7
Phahon Yothin Road
Sam Sen Nai Phayathai
Bangkok 10400
Thailand
Tel: (66) 2 2982457; Fax: (66) 2 2982425
e-mail: dbase.c@pcd.go.th
12.
Ms Pornpit Silkavute
Thailand
Director, Technical Division
Office of Food and Drug Administration
Ministry of Public Health
Tiwanon Road, Muang District
Nonthaburi 11000
Thailand
Tel: (66) 2 590-7281-2
Fax: (66) 2 5907287
e-mail: pornpit@health.moph.go.th
13.
Dr Le Ke Son
Vietnam
e-mail: lekeson@fpt.vn
Director
Agent Orange Victims Fund
82 Nguyen Du, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: 84-4-8224030
Fax: 84-4-8582410
ANNEX 2
GEF: Regionally Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic
Substances
Proposed Agenda - 1st Technical Working Group Meeting, Region 8
(Southeast Asia and South Pacific)
5-8 February 2002, Singapore
Day 1, 5 Feb 2002 (Tue)
Afternoon or
Arrival, accommodation
Asia Hotel,
evening
37, Scotts Road, Singapore
Day 2, 6 Feb 2002 (Wed)
09:00-10:15
Welcome Address
Ministry of Environment,
Singapore
Introduction of workshop
participants 10 min
Overview of Stockholm
Convention & GEF RBA PTS
Project Gil Jacinto - 15 min.
Movements of POPs in the Global
Environment Des Connell 40
minutes
10.15 10:30 MORNING BREAK
10:30 11:30 Sources of PTS Lim Kew Leong
Concentrations of PTS Sani
Ibrahim
11:30 12:30 Discussion on sources and
concentrations
12.30 - 13.30
LUNCH
13:30 14:00 Continue morning discussion on
concentrations of PTS
14:00 18:00
· Paper presentation by participants (15-20 min.):
(coffee break (Possible themes)
in between)
- Dioxin Inventory; sources and inventories of pesticides,
inventory of PCBs,
- Approaches of industry to PTS, POPs, obsolete pesticides,
HCH Forum, Biomonitoring/monitoring of POPs/PTS
· Australia (Dr Greg Miller)
· Brunei (Dr Lee Hoon Lim)
· Cambodia (Mr Chrin Sokha)
· Indonesia (Joeli Hartono Rianto)
· Malaysia (Dr Mazlin Mokhtar; Dr Zaini Assim)
Day 3, 7 Feb 2002 (Thu)
09:00 10:30 Continuation of country presentations
· Philippines (Dr Christopher Silverio and/or Dr Maricar
Prudente)
· Singapore (Prof Foo Swee Cheng)
· Thailand (Ms Pornpimon Chareonsong; Ms Pornpit
Silkavute)
· Vietnam (Dr Le Ke Son)
10:30 10:45 MORNING BREAK
10:45 12:30 Plenary session - discussion on country presentations
12:30 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 17:30 Site visit to Tuas South Plant - Dioxin control systems
Day 4, 8 Feb 2002 (Fri)
The participants will be divided into two groups to analyse the
presentations and make recommendations to plenary regarding
sources and environmental concentrations, priority PTS, and key
data gaps
Working group 1 (by compounds) Based on the structure of
Working group 2 (by
Final Report evaluation of
compartments)
existing/lack of information,
hot spots
09:00 10:30 Working group 1
Chemicals set 1
Working group 2
Releases (industrial air,
water, solid residue, product
or contaminant in product,
open burning)
10:30 10:45 MORNING BREAK
10:45 12:30 Working group 1
Chemicals set 2
Working group 2
Environmental
concentrations (soils,
sediments, water, vegetation,
animals, humans )
12:30 13:30 LUNCH
13:30-15:00
Working group 1
Hot spots, regional priorities
Working group 2
15:00 15:15 AFTERNOON BREAK
15:30 18:00 Plenary session presentation of group reports, discussion,
summary
19:30
Common dinner
Day 5, 9 Feb 2002 (Sat)
Morning
Departures of participants
09:00 13:00 The meeting of RT the finalisation of group reports
DRESS CODE: Informal Office Attire
1st TW - Preliminary structure of background documents:
a) Sources:
Executive summary
1. Background information to PTS sources
2. Data collection and quality control issues
3. Pesticides
.1
Aldrin
.1.1
Sources to air
.1.2
Sources to water
.1.3
Sources to land
.1.4
Summary
.2
Chlordane
.3
DDTs
.4
Dieldrin
.5
Endrin
.6
Heptachlor
.7
Hexachlorobenzene
.8
Mirex
.9
Toxaphene
4.0 Industrial Chemicals
.10
Polychlorinated biphenyls
5.0 Unintended by-products
5.1 Dioxins and Furans
7.0
Other PTS of emerging concern
.1
Atrazine
.2
Brominated flame retardants
.3
Lindane (?-HCH)
.4
Organic mercury
.5
Organic tin
.6
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
.7
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
.8
Short chain chlorinated paraffins
8.0
Literature Cited
a) Environmental levels:
Overview of levels, projects, monitoring programmes, hot spots, lack of
information
- Air
- Deposition
- Surface waters (water and sediments)
- Seas:
- Inland waters
- Rivers
- Lakes, ponds, dams
- Soils
- Aquatic biota
- Terrestrial biota
Annex 3
Workshop Papers and Presentations (CD ROM attached)