Implementing the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Summary of a Workshop in China (2007) / Chapter Skim
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Introduction
Introduction
Pages 1-12
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The cochairs emphasized the potential for enhancing environmental stewardship by building on China's strong scientific capability and by fostering systems of decision making and environmental management that are based on strong science and communication. At the time of the workshop China was preparing to ratify the Convention and preparing a national implementation plan.
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And, what does the science community need to understand about decisionmakers? Because many of the technical papers from the workshop were already published in Chemosphere and many of the workshop presentations are available via the Internet1, this workshop summary focuses primarily on issues that were highlighted during the workshop discussions, which coincide with the major themes of the "Strengthening Science-Based Decision Making" workshop series.
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More recently, some POPs have also been connected to reduced immunity in infants and children and a concomitant increase in infections. Other studies have linked POPS concentrations in humans with developmental abnormalities, neurobehavioral impairment and cancer and tumor induction or promotion.4 The POPs Situation in China: Current Production and Use, Related Polices, and Specific Plans for Implementation of the Stockholm Convention A workshop participant reported that China has phased out the production and use of five of the POPs covered by the Stockholm Convention -- aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, toxaphene and heptachlor.
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In September, 2004 China began drafting a National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention which is expected to be completed in late 2006. The NIP content is expected to include activities to strengthen national coordination and monitoring capacity; presenting national POPs inventories (production, trade, use, disposal and so on)
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A research network affiliated with many institutes and universities was also constructed to conduct POPs related research, such as inventorying pesticide POPs and PCBs, POPs toxicity impact on women and children, clean-up technology, identification and implementation of alternative measures and chemicals. Several demonstration projects have also been started to assess management and disposal options as well as alternatives to POPs currently used in China.
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Communication between government and private sector decisionmakers is also extremely important because it ensures that private sector decisionmakers are aware of the government's POPs management policies and it can ensure that the government takes into account the private sector's concerns and potential for change when developing policies. Finally, ongoing communication among scientists, engineers, and the private sector (including private sector decisionmakers and the scientists and engineers employed in the private sector)
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Despite a significant number of research studies most of this is limited to studies of field exposure and analytical methods with few studies on risk assessment, alternatives to POPs or management and disposal techniques. Some participants pointed out that there have been few studies in China assessing the long-term effects of POPs on people or critical ecosystems, studies that would be particularly useful for decisionmakers and for increasing public awareness of the problems posed by such chemicals.
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The Name List for Hazardous Chemicals Banned and Restricted Strictly should be adjusted to add Mirex and other emerging POPs related toxic chemicals into the controlled substances subject to the Environmental Management Registration System for Import/Export of Toxic Chemicals. A series of practical actions should be taken for the phase-out of POPs drawing on and exchanging experience from developed countries in POPs management, constituting and implement long and mid term strategies and action plans for POPs control and reduction, preventing and reducing illegal trans-boundary transport and trade in hazardous products, introducing the risk-reduction program for hazardous chemicals, harmonizing classification and labeling of chemicals, developing environmentally sound substitutes, and taking precautionary measures against POPs generation.
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While some laboratories are conducting very sophisticated analyses that meet international norms, not all monitoring programs are making use of this specialized expertise. Monitoring programs are less well developed compared with international standards and analytical methods.
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Accessibility: Many participants stressed that in order to avoid duplication of work and to enable scientists and decisionmakers to more readily make use of research results, it would be helpful to develop mechanisms to publish information periodically or share the information among the parties. Datasets should be expanded based on additional baseline environmental sampling programs and stronger quality control.
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NGOs: Many environmental NGOs in China are committed to promoting sound science and to influencing the development of rational environmental policies, laws, and regulations. However, participants indicated that NGOs in China have had only limited involvement in decisions on POPs control.
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Industry: Industry associations are increasingly important in China. They should serve their own enterprises, reflect their voices, protect the rights and the interests of their members, assist government to improve industry management, improve technical advancement and industry update by focusing on economic benefits and industry restructuring.
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