Malaysia

Overview of the POPs pesticide situation in Malaysia

1MAL   POPs Pesticides in Malaysia   .pdf 391KB

Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific

The activity conducted research and gathered information on the status of POPs pesticides in Malaysia. The information obtained included: background information on POPs pesticides previously used and possibly still in use in agriculture; summary information of known levels of POPs pesticides and incidences of pollution; measures undertaken or to be undertaken by government to address POPs; the Malaysian government's Stockholm Convention ratification process and its national implementation plan; and other measures taken to curb harm caused by POPs pesticides.

Outputs:
Country situation report
Country Situation Report (Bahasa Malaysia) - PAN AP Publication

Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes; Pesticides, agriculture and integrated pest management

Malaysia

Report on persistent organic pollutants in Malaysia and efforts to raise consumer awareness and action to protect public health and the environment

Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP)

2MAL   Malaysia Broga Incinerator Project   .pdf 362KB

2MAL   Malaysia Country Situation Report   .pdf 457KB

The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) prepared two reports for this activity: a report describing the POPs situation in Malaysia and their impacts on public health and the environment, and a report on a proposed municipal waste incinerator that could be a new source of POPs. The country situation report comprehensively reviews sources of POPs, levels in the environment and in animals, PCB inventory data, dioxin and furan inventory data, POPs and wastes, the role of NGOs in work on POPs, the state of POPs ratification in the country, and new POPs. The second report details information on a proposed incinerator designed to burn 1,500 tons of municipal solid waste per day. The report provides a detailed physical description of the site and surrounding community; formation of unintentionally produced POPs in incinerators; possible environmental, socioeconomic and health consequences; and NGO recommendations along with a critique of the environmental impact statement for the project. Both reports were disseminated through various CAP publications and networking activities.

Outputs:
Country situation report on POPs in Malaysia
Report: Consumer report on the Broga Incinerator Project-a contribution to the public debate on the use of incineration for managing municipal discards in Malaysia
Newspaper articles

Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes; Waste management and POPs; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs)

Malaysia

Public awareness-raising on incineration using film: ALICE LIVES HERE - documentation and popularization of a community struggle against the Broga Municipal Waste Incinerator Project

Broga Documentary Group

3MAL   POPs Awareness and Film in Malaysia   .pdf 346KB

This award-winning group of film enthusiasts produced a documentary film that is intended to raise public awareness and discussion about the environmental, health and social impacts of the construction of a mega-incinerator in a water catchments area in Selangor, Malaysia. The team has organized more than 15 public screenings, and they have duplicated 1,000 copies of the DVDs with subtitles in Chinese and English, receiving positive response from the public and the media. In 2005, the film won the best film award at the Freedom Film Festival in Malaysia.

Outputs:
Documentary film (Bahasa Melayu with Chinese and English subtitles)
Newspaper and Internet articles

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Waste management and POPs

Mali

Country situation report on POPs in Mali

1MLI   Mali Country Situation Report   .pdf 386KB

Association pour la Défense de l'Environnement et la Sensibilisation des Consommateurs (ADESCOM)

The activity aims to evaluate the Malian situation in terms of POPs, to bring awareness-raising and decision elements to NGOs and actors involved in the Stockholm Convention implementation, and raise awareness in the population about the Malian situation on POPs and hazards related to POPs. The report outlines POPs sources and uses, the implementation process, existing legislation related to POPs, and POPs problems and proposed solutions. In addition, ADESCOM organized a workshop on POPs for NGOs and government officials that included the Stockholm Convention Focal Point. The meeting called for successful implementation of the Treaty, noting the threat as a humanitarian issue and invited the government to shift environmental, sanitation, agricultural and industrial policies to be consistent with the Stockholm Convention.

Outputs:
Country situation report on POPs in Mali

Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising

Mauritania

Strategy proposal for the identification and control of devices containing PCBs in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania: Case study in Nouakchott

1MAU   Strategy for PCBs Mauritania French   .pdf 2,037KB

1MAU   Strategy for PCBs Mauritania   .pdf 432KB

Agir pour une Gestion Rationnelle pour l'Environnement en Mauritanie (AGREEM)

This activity aimed at proposing an approach for the identification and control of PCBs that are currently being used or contained in wastes. The report provides information about the country profile regarding PCBs: amounts; type of devices containing PCBs and localization; identifies and evaluates current or planned measures for the management of PCBs; and finally propose an environmentally sound strategy for the management of PCBs in Mauritania, based on successful experiences from other countries. In addition, AGREEM evaluated the hazards and impacts related to the proposed strategy and suggested accompanying measures in order to reduce those hazards and remove obstacles to the implementation of the strategy. AGREEM performed field visits, interviewed relevant stakeholders, and organized a workshop to present the proposed strategy.

Outputs:
Report: Strategy for the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Nouakchott
Workshop
Strategy for PCB management in Nouakchott, Mauritania

Keywords:
PCBs; Policy and legislation; Waste management and POPs; Inventories and data collection

Mauritania

Global day of action on POPs in Mauritania

Agir pour une Gestion Rationnelle pour l'Environnement en Mauritanie (AGREEM)

2MAU   Global Day of Action Mauritania English   .pdf 319KB

2MAU   Global Day of Action Mauritania French   .pdf 340KB

AGREEM disseminated information pertaining to the Stockholm Convention and POPs to raise awareness about the necessity to successfully implement the Convention in Mauritania. A press conference was jointly organized with the POPs Coordinator at the Ministry of the Environment and the GEF UNDP SGP team in Mauritania. This conference aimed at introducing POPs and related harmful effects, the status of the Stockholm Convention implementation and highlighting the need to carry-out concrete actions for the implementation of the Convention in Mauritania. That was aimed also to introduce the GEF OP 14 on POPs and raised awareness among NGOs and the other stakeholder about opportunities of funding relevant POPs projects in the framework of the GEF UNDP SGP.

Outputs:
Press conference on the Stockholm Convention and POPS
Media informed and sensitized on POPs and Stockholm Convention issues
Press articles on POPs issues
Disposal measures and strategies to protect human health and the environment are proposed to the large public
NGOs, CSOs and other relevant stakeholders are informed on the GEF OP 14 on POPs and the opportunities for POPs projects in the framework of the GEF UNDP Small Grants Programme

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising

Mexico

Citizen's Guide to the Stockholm Convention

2MEX   Citizen's Guide Final English Summary   .pdf 358KB

  citizensguide_ebook_english

  citizensguide_ebook_spanish

Red de Acción sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México(RAPAM)

This report describes the information-rich, Spanish-language "Citizen's Guide to the Stockholm Convention," a 220-page book developed by the NGO RAPAM. The Guide is available in both print and on CD. The Citizen's Guide has been translated into an English edition, which includes a forward by Klaus Toepfer, former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. Divided into five sections, the Citizen's Guide includes chapters on: 1) background of citizen struggles around POPs, 2) effects of POPs on health and the environment, 3) government commitments to the Stockholm Convention, 4) Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plans, and 5) the roles and rights of citizen participation. The Guide was presented at workshops throughout Latin America in 2004 and 2005 and has served as a source of information in developing additional fact sheets on POPs.

Outputs:
The "Citizen's Guide to the Stockholm Convention" available in Spanish and English
1,000 printed copies as well as a CD version available
Partial translations available in Arabic, French and Russian

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Waste management and POPs; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); DDT; New POPs; Policy and legislation; Health and ecosystem impacts

Mexico

Identification of POPs pollution sources using a participatory approach in Eastern Morelos, Mexico

3MEX   Participatory ID of POPs Sources Mexico   .pdf 343KB

Centro de Análisis Social, Información y Formación Popular, A.C. (CASIFOP)

This report highlights a research project conducted in the Eastern region of Morales, Mexico which identifies possible sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD and PCDF). The activity consisted of information gathering workshops, which were held with local teachers, students, peasants and citizens to learn more about the problems firsthand. The workshops resulted in identification and mapping of several possible focal points of contamination and several notable observations. Multiple sites were visited, including: Cuautla and Yecapixtla sanitary landfills (where mixed chemical wastes were observed); brick-making kilns (where old tires and used oils were in some instances used as fuel); and crop fields (where agrochemical containers were abandoned and burned). Visits to a sugar refinery, tannery, a biological-infectious hazardous waste collection company, mechanic shops and an electric transformer repair shop were also conducted. The results and findings are outlined in a 22-page report.

Outputs:
Three community workshops in the Eastern Region of Morales, Mexico
Two college students trained to replicate the workshops in schools and communities
Site visits and mapping of potentially contaminated sites
Development of community brochure, poster and fact sheet on POPs
Media coverage by radio and print media

Keywords:
Inventories and data collection; POPs hotspots; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); Waste management and POPs; Pesticides, agriculture and integrated pest management

Mexico

Egg sampling for by-product POPs in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico

5MEX   Mexico_eggsreport   .pdf 835KB

Organización y Desarrollo Social and Red de Acción sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México (RAPAM)

As part of the larger "Global Egg Study," free-range chicken eggs were collected in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz Mexico and examined for unintentionally produced POPs, or U-POPs. Eggs were collected within 2 km of the government-owned "Pajaritos Petrochemical Complex" and showed high levels of dioxins and hexachlorobenzene, as well as elevated levels of PCBs. Dioxin levels were 6 times higher than the EU limit and as much as 19 times higher than background levels. Hexachlorobenzene levels were high, and the eggs also exceeded the proposed EU limit for PCBs by 1.5 fold. The principle cause of the contamination is alleged to be the Pajaritos petrochemical complex, where vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is used as an intermediate for PVC plastic production and where wastes are incinerated. The data represents a first-of-its-kind study analysis of POPs, dioxin and PCBS in any food in the region in Mexico.

Outputs:
First-of-a-kind study/analysis of POPs, dioxin and DDT in chicken eggs in Mexico

Keywords:
POPs hotspots; Waste management and POPs; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); Inventories and data collection; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Monitoring and assessment; Health and ecosystem impacts

Mexico

Inventories of unintentional POPs (U-POPs) in Latin America: a comparative study

7MEX   Estimating Dioxin Releases English   .pdf 474KB

Red de Acción sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México (RAPAM) and Owltree Consulting

The report extensively reviews the scientific literature for emission factors corresponding to diffuse sources of dioxins and furans including forest fires, grassland and moor fires, open burning of agricultural residues, open burning of domestic waste, and landfill and dump fires. Then the factors were used with data from several countries to calculate new inventories and compare them with dioxin inventories from Mexico, Cuba and Argentina, which were constructed using the Toolkit proposed by UNEP Chemicals. The results showed use of emission factors from the scientific literature had decreased total calculated emissions from these sources and changed the order of priority sources. The results were presented at COP2 of the Stockholm Convention.

Outputs:
Comparative analysis of dioxin inventories taking into account multiple emission factors
Findings presented at COP2

Keywords:
Inventories and data collection; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); Waste management and POPs

Mexico

Mexican Isthmus: generation of and contamination by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

8MEX   Mexican Isthmus and POPs   .pdf 345KB

Ambiente y Bienestar Humano and Red de Acción sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México (RAPAM)

In Mexico's Northern Isthmus, the government-owned Pajaritos Petrochemical Complex in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz Mexico is the most significant source of POPs under the Stockholm Convention. In addition to the POPs found in the eggs near Pajaritos as per the egg sampling conducted under the "Global Egg Study," the Coatzacoalcos River has also been found to have PAHs, heavy metals (especially chrome, lead and mercury), organochlorine compounds, and PCBs. The report describes production processes within the Pajaritos complex such as production of vinyl chloride and the plant's plans to double production capacity and construct an incinerator for chlorinated wastes. While the plant plans to modernize, these efforts do not meet EU POPs emissions standards. The report makes several recommendations, including designating the River Basin as a POPs hotspot; establishing a POPs committee; eliminating incineration of organochlorinated wastes at the Pajaritos; conducting an epidemiological study; creating a monitoring program; and conducting a public-awareness campaign.

Outputs:
Detailed report describing the problem of POPs near the Pajaritos Petrochemical Complex in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz Mexico

Keywords:
POPs hotspots; Health and ecosystem impacts; Waste management and POPs; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising

Mexico

Global week of action on POPs in Mexico

9MEX   RAPAM GDA English   .pdf 329KB

Red de Acción sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México (RAPAM)

At a press conference on April 21, 2005, and at a national forum on April 23, 2005, RAPAM and the Organizacion y Desarollo Social presented the results of the egg sampling conducted under the "Global Egg Study" near the Pajaritos Petrochemical Complex in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz Mexico. As a result of the event, a statement signed by 120 individuals representing 29 organizations was submitted to the Government, encouraging implementation of the Stockholm Convention with special emphasis on recognizing the South Veracruz region as a POPs hotspot; increasing public participation in the NIP process; and cancelling the new proposed incinerator for chlorinated wastes at Pajaritos. At the press conference, as part of the "Global day of Action," a press release highlighted the need for Mexico to establish a National Coordination Committee and encouraged a process that includes formal consultations with NGOs.

Outputs:
Presentation of egg sampling study results to the public
Statement signed by 120 individuals and 29 organizations submitted to Government regarding POPS
Press release concerning National Coordination Committee and NGO consultation

Keywords:
POPs hotspots; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising

Mexico

Translation: Dirty Dozen magazine

[no file]

Red de Acción sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México (RAPAM)

This report highlights the article, "No DDT and No Malaria: The Mexican experience," which was written by RAPAM and highlights Mexico's halting of production and usage of DDT in 2000 and its implementation of alternatives for malaria control and other applications. The article was translated into English as part of a special edition of the Dirty Dozen Magazine. The magazine and incorporated article were disseminated at the First Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention in Punta del Este, Uruguay in May 2005.

Outputs:
English translation of article on Mexico's experience with DDT
Distribution of article in Dirty Dozen magazine at First Conference of the Parties in 2005

Keywords:
DDT; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising

Mexico

POPs public awareness campaign in Mexico

11MEX   Expert Team and Capacity Building in Mexico   .pdf 430KB

Red de Acción sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México (RAPAM)

RAPAM conducted activities at a national workshop in Mexico City on November 18 and 19, 2005 with participation from 50 people and 32 organizations, where RAPAM assembled a team of experts and conducted a capacity building campaign in order to increase knowledge and skills on POPs, as well as to facilitate and encourage more effective public participation in the National Implementation Plan. The campaign included preparation of a national workshop focused on POPs and zero waste to build capacity among NGOs and grassroots groups around the country; the production of a CD and DVD of the proceedings; the creation and distribution of a fact sheet and poster; and recommendations regarding the creation of the National Coordination Committee to the Stockholm Convention. Issues considered were the Stockholm Convention commitments and the National Implementation Plan, the POPs produced by incineration of used tires in cement kilns in USA and Mexico, and the interchange of experiences on zero waste in Argentina and Mexico.

Outputs:
National capacity-building workshop
Print folder, CD and DVD with PowerPoint presentation produced

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising;

Mexico

Country situation report on POPs in Mexico

12MEX   Mexico Country Situation Report   .pdf 415KB

Red de Acción sobre Plaguicidas y Alternativas en México (RAPAM)

The objective of this report was to offer a general panorama of the situation related to POPs in Mexico while incorporating the concerns and recommendations of citizen's groups for the development of the Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plan (NIP). Mexico has selected the World Bank to receive GEF funds to develop the NIP, and after years of delay, the first meeting of the National Coordinating Committee is scheduled for October 2006 with a planning workshop. Some of the POPs, like DDT, PCB, Dioxins and Furans, are in the process of being addressed in the context of regional action plans via the Commission for Environmental Cooperation with USA and Canada under the North American Free Trade Agreement. The report discusses in detail POPs such as DDT, PCBs, Dioxins, Furans and unintentional POPs, as well as issues such as obsolete pesticide stockpiles; contaminated sites; incineration; research and monitoring; and public participation. The report highlights the deficiencies of the current system as well as opportunities for Stockholm Convention implementation.

Outputs:
Country situation report for Mexico

Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes

Moldova

Moldova without POPs

1MOL   Moldova Chishinau National PR Russian   .pdf 103KB

1MOL   Moldova Without POPs English   .pdf 345KB

1MOL   Moldova Without POPs Russian   .pdf 3,644KB

Chisinau Territorial Organization of the Environmental Movement of Moldova

The public awareness-raising activity organized a town-to-town bus tour of 13 settlements in the Chisinau municipality and involved more than 850 people who took part in the action. In addition to public awareness-raising on the tour, participants collected important POPs-related information concerning pesticide storage, illegal waste dumps, landfills, and other sources of environmental impacts. This information was collected into a register of POPs pollution hotspot in the Chisinau municipality and central regions of Moldova; made publicly available; and submitted to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. After the activity, Chisinau Territorial Organization of the Environmental Movement of Moldova was invited to participate in the NIP process.

Outputs:
Town-to-town bus tour on POPs covering 13 settlements
Identification of POPs hotspots including landfills, dilapidated and abandoned pesticide storages, industrial facilities, which were developed into an information database

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Obsolete pesticides; POPs hotspots

Moldova

POPs in Trans-Dniesteria: situation assessment and public information

2MOL   POPs in Trans Dniesteria English Summary   .pdf 378KB

Eco-TIRAS International Environmental Association of River Warriors, Turunchuk and Doctors for Environment

Primary inventory works have been completed at all 12 pesticide storage sites in the Slobodzeiskiy district where quantities of chemicals and storage conditions were assessed. Findings of the inventory works have been submitted to the State Administration of the district. As a result, the problem of pesticides became well known to the district residents and attracted the attention of local authorities, who ordered concentrating all obsolete and unidentified pesticides (earlier scattered at different sites in the district) to the duly equipped storage facility in Pervomaisk township.

Outputs:
Inventory of 12 obsolete pesticide storage facilities in 15 villages

Keywords:
Obsolete pesticides; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising

Moldova

Country situation report on POPs in Moldova

3MOL   Article on Moldova Country Situation Russian   .pdf 79KB

3MOL   Moldova Country Situation Report English summary   .pdf 334KB

Habitat Regional Development Agency

The report provides information on POPs sources in Moldova. Intensive agricultural use of cultivated lands in the Republic of Moldova included application of DDT and toxaphene. In the power industry and other industrial sectors, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and PCBs were applied. It is also clear that dioxins and furans are generated as by-products of incineration processes. Key problems and priorities included very low public awareness of POPs-related hazards and an almost nonexistent monitoring of POPs levels in food and soils. Key routes of human exposure to POPs incorporate household use of empty packaging from POPs; use of construction materials from destroyed storages of banned and obsolete pesticides (including POPs pesticides); storage and application of unidentified pesticides in subsistence and farm agriculture (including application of pesticides without adequate protective gear); application of dielectric liquids from transformers and capacitors for household purposes; incineration of garbage and plastic items; and use of worn tires for heating and meat smoking.

Outputs:
Country situation report on POPs in Moldova

Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes

Moldova

Global day of action on POPs in Moldova

4MOL   Global day of action on POPs in Moldova   .pdf 329KB

Chisinau Territorial Organization of the Environmental Movement of Moldova

Members of the Chisinau Territorial Organization of the Environmental Movement of Moldova conducted environmental lessons on "POPs, Environment and Health" in eight schools. On April 14, 2005 a roundtable discussion "Environment, Chemical Pollutants and Children's Health" was conducted. The roundtable participants decided to develop recommendations for the national government on reduction of adverse impacts of POPs on children's health and environment, to publish materials, presented by the roundtable participants. The activity culminated on April 22, 2005-when "Chisinau Children against POP"" action was held in the Central Army Palace. Children visited a concert, organized by a group of environmental NGOs (including the Chisinau Territorial Organization of the Environmental Movement of Moldova, "Ecosphere" and "Unda Verde"). The children were addressed by Mr. Valentin Pleshka, a representative of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the POPs project manager in Moldova, and by other officials.

Outputs:
Roundtable discussion with recommendations on POPs and children's health
Press coverage in print, radio and TV media
4,000 copies of the leaflet "Say No to POPs" published
Children's concert and theater production

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Youth

Moldova

Global day of action on POPs in Moldova

5MOL   Moldova Habitat GDA English   .pdf 328KB

Habitat Environmental News Agency

Habitat Environmental News Agency implemented a project activity to inform residents in the villages of Pepeuts, Trifesht, Pechishte and Slobodzia-Gorodishte on health risks associated with environmental contamination by POPs, principles of the Stockholm Convention and activities of the International POPs Elimination Network. The project activities informed 1,036 local residents and 5,000 readers of the regional weekly "Cuvantul," which published the activity results.

Outputs:
Involvement of residents of Pepeuts, Trifesht, Pechishte and Slobodzia-Gorodishte villages in partnerships with Habitat and local authorities for improvement of environmental quality and development of local action plans for implementation of the Stockholm Convention.
Results publishes in regional weekly newspaper

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising

Moldova

Global day of action on POPs in Moldova

6MOL   Moldova Ecotox GDA English   .pdf 329KB

Ecotox

In the course of implementing the activity "Beware of Persistent Organic Pollutants," "Ecotox" NGO (Moldova) conducted four seminars in schools and lyceums of Chisinau and two seminars in schools of the Sorokskiy district of Moldova. Overall, these seminars were attended by about 200 schoolchildren (5th-11th grades), about 20 teachers, 6 preventive health care experts (former sanitary and epidemiological facilities) and about 25 workers of the aquaculture facility. They discussed issues associated with POPs impacts on flora, fauna and human health, as well as cumulative accumulation of POPs in trophic chains in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. At the request of the village residents, water samples were taken in 12 wells and ten samples of fish to estimate pesticide contamination levels (including levels of POPs pesticides).

Outputs:
Six seminars on POPs at elementary schools to reach students, teachers, and workers of an aquaculture facility
Taking of samples for POPs analysis

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising

Moldova

Global day of action on POPs in Moldova

7MOL   Moldova Doctors Ecology GDA English   .pdf 328KB

Doctors for Ecology

Doctors for Ecolog" NGO initiated the activity "I Know, therefore I Am Protected" in Trans-Dniesteria (Moldova). In the framework of the Global Day of Action against POPs, two roundtables were conducted with the participation of interested specialists and one roundtable dedicated to "POPs as a Threat to Human Health." Representatives of different city/regional organizations were informed on activities in the sphere. In addition, a roundtable discussion, "Help Every Mother, Every Child," was held to present an activity dedicated to the Global Day of Actions against POPs.

Outputs:
Four roundtable discussions on POPs with NGOs and specialists
Press coverage

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising

Moldova

Waste incineration and handling in Moldova

8MOL   Waste Incineration and Handling in Moldova   .pdf 422KB

Chisinau Territorial Organization of the Environmental Movement of Moldova

This activity informed citizens on the adverse health and environmental impacts of incineration of different types of waste and performed surveys of waste handling practices. The activity monitored waste incineration sites in ten settlements of the country, including waste dumps, greenhouses, limekilns, cement plants, brick production facilities, used tires, plastic and cardboard. A subsequent roundtable discussion of the results with NGOs, government officials and university professors recommended avoiding incineration of collected obsolete pesticides at the territory of the country, to abandon the practice of burning used tires as fuel (including their burning as fuel at the Rezina Cement Plant), to avoid use of incineration for processing of several hundred tons of paraformaldehyde, and to design and construct waste-processing plant in Chisinau without a waste incineration technological line. In almost all settlements under survey, cases of burning of agricultural residues were registered, relevant administrative protocols were filed and violators paid damages. In some settlements (Belts, Streshen), individual business facilities were established to collect plastic waste and used tires.

Outputs:
Monitoring on waste incineration at ten sites in three zones
Press conference
Roundtable discussion with NGOs, government officials, university professors and media
Tire burning stopped at Rezina Cement Plant
Collection facilities established in two settlements for plastic waste and tires

Keywords:
Waste management and POPs; Alternatives to practices that use or generate POPs

Morocco

Prevention of morbidity and mortality due to POPs pesticides

1MOR   Prevention and POPs Pesticides in Morocco   .pdf 396KB

Société Marocaine de Toxicologie Clinique et Analytique

This activity, organized by the Société Marocaine de Toxicologie Clinique et Analytique, produced two workshops that included speeches and discussion related to the identity, characteristics and historical use of POPs pesticides in Morocco, as well as discussion of the Stockholm Convention. The workshops placed specific emphasis on the toxic, persistent and chronic characteristics of POPs and the ill health and environment effects these characteristics cause. Recommendations included collaboration among governments, individuals and civil society establishments to conduct public awareness campaigns; monitoring of the export and production of hazardous substances; development and issuance of laws and regulations that deal with POPs; promoting responsibility among sectors that produce and use these chemicals to bear responsibility for ill effects; and proposing and implementing alternatives to harmful chemicals.

Outputs:
Two awareness-raising workshops on POPs including recommendations

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Monitoring and assessment; Alternatives to practices that use or generate POPs; Health and ecosystem impacts

Morocco

Global day of action: together against pesticide damage

2MOR   Global Day of Action in Morocco   .pdf 339KB

2MOR   Morocco GDA Program French   .pdf 510KB

2MOR   Morocco SMTCA Brochure French   .pdf 312KB

Société Marocaine de Toxicologie Clinique et Analytique

A Global Day of Action, organized by the Société Marocaine de Toxicologie Clinique et Analytique, raised awareness about the danger of pesticides in Morocco and included a detailed discussion of the Stockholm Convention, what constitutes POPs substances and the epidemiology and health risks of POPs. The audience included members of the private sector; NGOs working in environment and development; representatives from the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Industry and Health; community health professionals; media; university students; and the general public. Brochures highlighting the Stockholm Convention were developed and distributed to all target groups. A press conference announced the activities in order to increase participation of local communities in activities and issues concerning POPs and the Stockholm Convention.

Outputs:
Brochure developed and distributed on POPs and the Stockholm Convention.
Press conference on POPs

Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising;