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Click on the first letter of the country that you are interested in to see all the projects undertaken.
Q
R
Romania.
Russia.
Romania:
Romania
1ROM Country Situation on POPs in Romania .pdf 610KB
Environmental Experts Association (EEA)
EEA focused on the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) situation and their presence in the Romanian environment. The country situation report describes the sources of POPs, the types of POPs, and what damages have been caused by them. EEA collected available information (studies, data, etc.) about POPs in Romania. The report gives a good overview about basic situation concerning POPs in Romania.
Outputs:
Country situation report in both electronic and printed version in both English and Romanian language
Small awareness-raising campaign related to dissemination of the report
Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes
Romania
2ROM Non POPs Strategy Crop Protection .pdf 393KB
Environmental Experts Association (EEA)
This report discusses the use of POPs pesticides in Romanian agriculture and the use of biological control as an alternative to POPs and other pesticides. The control method concerns hedge/hedgerows as shelter, belts for stability and productivity of agrobiocoenosis. The policy proposal describes how hedges work and how POPs elimination and biodiversity interact.
Outputs:
Report: Non-POPs strategy for crops protection
Keywords:
Pesticides, agriculture and integrated pest management; Alternatives to practices that use or generate POPs; Policy and legislation
Romania
2ROM Healthcare waste incin in Romania .pdf 467KB
Environmental Experts Association (EEA)
This report details the composition of health care waste; major sources and quantities generated in Romania; location of waste crematoria and incinerators; and POPs air emissions. The practice is discussed in light of the Stockholm Convention goal of eliminating unintentionally produced POPs along with alternative practices such as waste minimization and segregation and non-incinerating treatment technologies
Outputs:
Report: Health care waste incineration in Romania
Keywords:
Waste management and POPs; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs; Alternatives to practices that use or generate POPs
Romania
3ROM Constanta Med Waste Incinerator .pdf 466KB
Mare Nostrum
This report describes the Constanta medical waste incinerator; a facility located in the middle of a block of flats where 2,500 people are living. The study includes the history of incinerator construction and ownership; regulatory actions and laws; the impacts of emissions on human health and the environment; and also suggestions of alternative ways of dealing with medical waste in the Constanta District. The report was released publicly both in English and Romanian. Together with the described activities, a small-scale public information campaign was carried out, drawing the attention of Constanta citizens to the POPs issue and ways of dealing with medical waste in general.
Outputs:
Report: Constanta medical waste incinerator
Public information campaign and press articles
Keywords:
Waste management and POPs; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs; Alternatives to practices that use or generate POPs; POPs hotspots
Russia:
Russia
1RUS Time to Act Obsolete Pesticides English Summary .pdf 358KB
1RUS Time to Act Obsolete Pesticides in Russian .pdf 591KB>
Women Network in the Urals
This activity established a permanent intersectoral group on pesticide storage and utilization to develop a survey plan for three districts of Chelybinsk Oblast. The group surveyed 11 rural settlements using extensive communication with local residents. The results were compared with official data at joint discussions with stakeholders, including local authorities, NGOs, residents (including high school students) and experts. Information on pesticides-related problems and public participation in primary inventories of banned and obsolete pesticides was published in four newspapers of Cheliabinsk Oblast. The oblast TV channel aired a topical program on pesticide storage in Petrovskoye. The group developed recommendations for incorporation into the Target-oriented Action Program for Environmental Improvement in Chelyabinsk Oblast for 2006-2010 for the sections "Environmental Protection from Hazardous and Solid Municipal Waste" and "Public Information on Environmental Quality and Protection." The inter-sectoral group has developed the Follow-up Action Plan to ensure storage and utilization of banned and obsolete pesticides.
Outputs:
Establishment of intersectoral group on pesticide storage
Survey of 11 rural settlements for obsolete pesticides
Public outreach through print and TV media
Keywords:
Obsolete pesticides; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Youth
Russia
2RUS Dioxins in Breast Milk English .pdf 748KB
Iskorka
The activity studied contamination by dioxins, furans and PCBs in human milk, as it is a universal indicator of contamination and an initial link of the food chain. The study involved socio-medical screening of breast milk donors and their families, as well as a multi-factor analysis for further development of a model of POPs circulation in the population of Magnitogorsk city residents. Samples from 25 permanent residents of Magnitogorsk were taken according to the WHO Guidelines, and survey forms were completed for all donors. The study measured 17 dioxins and furans and 12 toxic PCBs. Dioxin/furan levels averaged 7.16 WHO-TEQ pg/g fat. PCBs averaged 11.41 WHO-TEQ pg/g fat.
Outputs:
Biomonitoring study of dioxins, furans and PCBs in human milk
Keywords:
Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); PCBs; Monitoring and assessment
Russia
4RUS Russia Counry Situation Report Russian .pdf 964KB
4RUS Russia Country Situation Report English Summary .pdf 412KB
Eco-Accord
This report is co-authored by Oxana Tsitser, an expert of the Russian Federation Sate Duma Committee on Ecology. The document describes and assesses the country situation in Russia with respect to POPs and Stockholm Convention implementation. Topics covered include: sources including accumulation of POPs from the surrounding natural environment both from its own sources and also from trans-boundary ones; levels of POPs despite poor monitoring and inventory information; damage caused by POPs, regulatory framework, Convention status; state level and NGO activities; and NGO recommendations on POPs elimination. The report is a useful reference document that provides the basic information required by NGOs in Russia to prepare awareness raising activities and materials, identify further areas of investigation, plan campaigns and prepare for a meaningful role in NIP preparations.
Outputs:
Report: Country situation report on POPs in Russia
Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes
Russia
8RUS Pesticides A Real Threat English .pdf 539KB
Eco-Accord
Eco-Accord prepared an overview of the activities of NGOs in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia region on the identification of unauthorized storage of banned and obsolete pesticides. The publication is intended for NGOs, students of environmental specializations, officials of federal and regional state administrations dealing with pesticide management and inventories of stockpiles of banned and obsolete pesticides, international environmental organizations, and donor institutions that provide assistance to environmental NGOs. This publication promotes development and strengthening of partnerships between NGOs and international organizations, different governmental levels and the academic community, promoting the development of more efficient policies, plans, programs and specific projects. Moreover, this brochure is a valuable resource for NGOs that are concerned about environmental contamination by hazardous chemicals and plan to launch their own activities in the sphere.
Outputs:
Report: Pesticides: A real threat
Keywords:
Obsolete pesticides
Russia
9RUS PCBs Pollution and Monitoring English .pdf 339KB
Eco-SPES
This is the first citizen-led inventory of PCB sources ever conducted in the Russian Federation. Eco-SPES collected water and soil samples in seven cities of Nizhegorodskaya Oblast where PCBs sources are located. These sources include facilities that operate PCBs-containing electric equipment, industrial waste incinerators and municipal landfills. These research studies confirmed PCBs contamination of territories near Dzerzhinsk, a site of PCB manufacturing. The inventory work allowed collection of information on the presence of PCBs-containing liquids and on reduction of equipment stocks at the majority of facilities of Nizhegorodskaya Oblast in 1999-2005. According to the surveys, facilities of the region reported that they now have 92% less PCBs-containing equipment compared to the results of AMAP survey in 1999. These equipment items either disappeared in facilities' reports (but are still actually used), or were decommissioned and PCBs-containing wastes were illegally "recycled" or eliminated. High officials of governmental environmental bodies of the region were seriously concerned about these results. Similar developments may be observed in other regions of the country, and the study underscored the importance of NGO involvement in inventories.
Outputs:
Monitoring and measurement of PCBs in seven cities
Inventory of PCBs in Nizhegorodskaya Oblast
Keywords:
PCBs; Monitoring and assessment
Russia
10RUS Russia PRTR English Summary .pdf 620KB
Volgograd Ecopress
The aim of the project activity was to discuss participation of NGOs in development of pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTR). The main attention focused on enterprises considered to be sources of POPs release, including the chemical industry, petrochemical industry and enterprises conducting waste water treatment. On the basis of results of analysis of already implemented registers in Russia and the experience of Volgograd Oblast, two booklets were developed: information on principles and main objectives of PRTRs in Russia and recommendations for organization of PRTR development works. The key information of these booklets was also disseminated among non-governmental organizations that expressed their interest in the problem. The information seminar, "The Role of Inter-sectoral Partnerships in Development of Regional and Local PRTRs", was conducted for NGOs that expressed their intentions to facilitate development of the system of PRTRs in Russia, promoting the idea of development of local and regional PRTRs in their regions. The seminar participants expressed their intentions to carry out necessary consultations in their regions after their return home, to discuss opportunities for development of PRTRs and to choose appropriate options for their regions. In order to optimise these activities, they decided to establish a network for exchange of information and experience. "Volgograd-Ecopress" Information Centre was authorized to organize the network, to develop necessary recommendations and information materials.
Outputs:
Two booklets on development of PRTR
Dissemination of results at an NGO seminar
Implementation of an information network on PRTR
Keywords:
Inventories and data collection; Policy and legislation
Russia
12RUS Russia_eggsreport .pdf 448KB
Eco-SPES
In cooperation with Eco-Accord, Eco-SPES performed a study of unintentionally produced POPs in chicken eggs. Free-range chicken eggs collected in Igumnovo and Gorbatovka, near the chlorine chemicals-producing plants and hazardous waste incinerators in Dzerzhinsk, Russia showed contaminant levels exceeding the EU limit for dioxins as well as the newly proposed limit for PCBs. Eggs from Igumnovo had almost a 14-fold higher level of dioxins than the EU limit and 9 times the level of PCBs specified by the newly proposed EU limit for these substances. Eggs from Gorbatovka were less contaminated by these substances, but still had dioxin levels 4 times higher than EU limit and PCB levels 4.5 times higher than newly proposed limit for these chemicals in WHO-TEQ. To our knowledge, this study represents the second study of U-POPs in chicken eggs from Russia. Taking into account all circumstances and the congener pattern of dioxins in the eggs, the most obvious source of U-POPs in eggs sampled from Igumnovo and Gorbatovka are local chlor-alkali and other chlorinated chemicals production industries and their waste dumpsites within the region. The research data suggest the need to initiate monitoring of POPs levels in food and implement long-term actions for elimination of organochlorine substances-sources of releases of PCBs, dioxins and furans to all environmental media.
Outputs:
Hotspot and egg sampling report: Contamination of chicken eggs from the Dzerzhinsk region of Russia by dioxins, PCBs and HCB
Keywords:
Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); POPs Hotspots; Monitoring and assessment
Russia
13RUS Reproductive Health Effects in Russian Arctic .pdf 543KB
The North-western Centre of Hygiene and Public Health
Adverse impacts of 15 PCB congeners on the reproductive health status of Indigenous women and the health status of newborn children were identified for individual PCB congeners, groups of congeners with similar chemical structure, and summary PCB levels. These impacts may develop at relatively low levels of PCBs in blood serum (less than 1 µg/L). Higher levels of the majority of individual PCB congeners, all four groups of PCB congeners and summary PCBs were registered in the blood of women with low birth weight newborns, stillborn cases and newborn children with birth defects. The results were statistically significant. The study results confirm an effect on boy/girl ratios. At relatively low levels of PCBs, boy/girl ratios increase. Higher PCB levels result in growing shares of newborn girls and boy/girl ratios closer to 1.0. Analysis of effects of grouped PCB congeners demonstrates that dioxin-like congeners and other congeners-planar and non-planar ones-congeners with high and low chlorine contents may induce development of reproductive pathologies.
Outputs:
Health effect study of Arctic Indigenous Peoples exposed to PCBs
Keywords:
PCBs; Monitoring and assessment; Health and ecosystem impacts
Russia
14RUS Reducing POPs in People of Russian Arctic .pdf 461KB
The North-western Centre of Hygiene and Public Health
This follow-up activity from 8RUS developed recommendations on consumption of the main types of traditional food products in the Russian Arctic by Indigenous Peoples to reduce POPs exposure, accounting for ethnic and cultural specifics of different Indigenous Peoples. Implementation of the recommendations in several settlements with predominantly Indigenous populations in Chukotskiy and Nenetskiy autonomous districts resulted in substantially reduced environmental contamination by persistent toxic substances.
Outputs:
POPs reduction plan and report: Development of an action plan for reducing the exposure to POPs among Natives of the Russian Arctic
POPs reduction following plan implementation
Keywords:
PCBs; Monitoring and assessment; Health and ecosystem impacts
Russia
15RUS Union of Enviro GDA English .pdf 329KB
The Union of Ecologists of the Republic of Bashkortostan
A meeting of the Public Environmental Council of the Republic of Bashkortostan (18 organizations) discussed and approved a statement on the problem of dioxin waste and reorganization of "Khimprom" Company. A second meeting was organized with chief officials of environmental and other supervisory bodies of the Republic of Bashkortostan (RB) in the Public Reception Chamber of the Chief Federal Inspector of RB on matters of environmental monitoring (including dioxins) and provision of public environmental information. The meeting participants raised a claim against the State Committee for Environment and its legal successors for the failure to eliminate the dioxin dump in Ufa. The project generated a strong momentum to address the problem. The Union of Ecologists of the Republic of Bashkortostan will maintain public control over implementation of actions for elimination of sources of dioxin pollution in Ufa.
Outputs:
NGO meeting of 18 organizations to develop common statement on dioxin contamination
Meeting with authorities concerning the dump
NGO granted responsibility for activities involved in eliminating dioxin sources
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); POPs Hotspots
Russia
16RUS Chapaesvsk Med Assoc GDA English .pdf 329KB
Chapaevsk Medical Association
The Chapaevsk Medical Association conducted POPs awareness-raising activities for city teachers and students. Schoolchildren were informed on POPs-related situations in Chapaevsk at lessons of geography and ecology for senior pupils and lessons of natural history for younger schoolchildren. Students and school pupils completed 176 questionnaires on matters of the city environment and healthy lifestyles. The first information newsletter, "We Can Protect Our Health," was designed as a newspaper insert and published (5,100 copies). The newsletter contained contact phone numbers to receive readers' feedback.
Outputs:
Meetings with government and education officials
Preparation of information newsletter (5,100 copies) and brochures on POPs
Class lectures on POPs for students
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Youth
Russia
17RUS Eco Accord GDA English .pdf 328KB
Eco-Accord
Eco-Accord developed and disseminated information materials on environmental quality and health hazards of POPs. On April 20, 2005, the Centre conducted a press conference on "Dioxins in Russian Food." The press conference participants discussed results of the international campaign to measure concentrations of dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in chicken eggs (see 7RUS). This was only the second study of unintentionally produced POPs in chicken eggs in Russia. Free-range eggs from Igumnovo had dioxin levels that exceeded the EU limit by almost 14-fold, while PCBs levels exceeded the proposed limit by 9-fold. In chicken eggs from Gorbatovka, dioxin levels exceeded the EU limit by 4-fold, while PCBs levels exceeded the proposed limit by 4.5-fold. In samples from Gorbatovka, HCB was also found. The research data suggest the need to initiate monitoring of POPs levels in food and implement long-term actions for elimination of organochlorine substances-sources of releases of PCBs, dioxins and furans to all environmental media.
Outputs:
Informational materials on POPs
Press conference to present the results of the egg study
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); Monitoring and assessment
Russia
18RUS Ural Enviro Union GDA English .pdf 329KB
Ural Environmental Union
The project activity implementation activities resulted in development of three awareness-raising programs for preschoolers, schoolchildren (6th-8th grades), and teachers of ecology, chemistry and biology. In addition, three press releases were issued on the problem of POPs and two booklets were published: "Persistent Organic Pollutants Endanger Your Life" and "A Reminder for a Responsible Consumer." The project implementation allowed awareness-raising of local residents, authorities, and production facilities to POPs-related hazards.
Outputs:
Three awareness-raising programs for students and teachers
Three press releases
Two booklets published
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Youth
Russia
19RUS EcoSPES GDA English .pdf 329KB
Eco-SPES
During project implementation, open lessons were conducted in schools, children's clubs and libraries of Nizhegorodskiy Oblast on POPs problems at the global and regional levels. Mass media outlets of Nizhegorodskiy Oblast and Dzerzhinsk published information materials on environmental contamination by POPs in Nizhegorodskiy Oblast and options to address the problem, using mechanisms of the Stockholm Convention. Eco-SPES specialists made topical radio broadcasts and disseminated booklets and posters with information on POPs sources. At the final stage of the project, an information picket was conducted in Nizhniy Novgorod to inform the city residents on POPs.
Outputs:
Lessons on POPs for students
Media stories on POPs and the Stockholm Convention in print media and radio
Informational picket on POPs
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Youth
Russia
20RUS Infosfera GDA English .pdf 328KB
Infosfera
Infosfera explored the village territory and nearby areas for information on obsolete pesticides jointly with teachers and schoolchildren in three villages. They found that the storage facility for obsolete pesticides and fertilisers in Lipitsa village had been cleaned under the "Clean Earth" program. However, the storage facility for agrochemicals in Selino village still exists (bags with mineral fertilizers are stored there-overall about 120 tons). The bags are ruptured and chemicals lay in heaps, mixed with soil. Rainwater easily enters the storage facility and washes toxic substances out. The storage facility is used by local boys who play in the facility and take fertilizers away. In the course of their raids, children found that the fertilizers are washed out by rainwater and melt water to the ground and the Oka River. Finally, the participants identified a large number of illegal waste dumps.
Outputs:
Survey of three villages of obsolete pesticides and waste dumps
Inventory data collection on condition of storage facilities and dumps
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Obsolete pesticides; Youth; Inventories and data collection
Russia
21RUS IEU GDA English .pdf 327KB
Independent Ecological University
On April 22, 2005, in Moscow, students of the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University conducted a series of lectures on POPs. Topics included: Chemical Boomerangs as a Global Environmental Problem; New Approaches to Analysis of Dioxins in Environmental Media; Global Biosphere Pollution by Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Biota Environmental Stress by Organotin Eco-toxicants; Mercury Compounds in the Environment; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments of the Moscow River; Environmental Problems of Pesticide Application; and What Should be Done with Obsolete Pesticides? Summing up the action results, MSU students approved their appeal to V.V. Putin, the President of Russia, calling for cancellation of POPs use in Russia.
Outputs:
Lecture series on POPs for university students
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Youth
Russia
22RUS Centre Enviro Inf GDA English .pdf 328KB
Centre for Environmental Information (Nijni Novgorod, Russia)
Centre for Environmental Information conducted a series of media presentations to raise public awareness of POPs and reduce their impact on human health and the environment in the Novgorod region. Three radio broadcasts on local radio station were prepared. During the broadcasts, Centre for Environmental Information presented information about POPs impact on human health and answered questions from local citizens. TV reporting for a local weekly environmental program was prepared, focusing on pesticide use in agriculture and impact on human health. An interview with experts from the local Committee on Environment was published in weekly newspaper "Novgorod."
Outputs:
Three radio broadcasts on POPs
Media stories on TV and in print media
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising
Russia
23RUS Taiga GDA English .pdf 328KB
Taiga Novosibirsk Nature Protection Team and the West Siberia Environmental Monitoring Centre
NGOs prepared a brochure called "POPs as a Threat for Life." The brochure used data from the West Siberia Environmental Monitoring Centre, publications of Eco-Accord Centre ("Pesticides-a Real Threat," "Persistent Organic Pollutants and Human Health," "Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Stockholm Convention," "POPs: Our Future is at Stake"), publications of Nazavisimaya Gazeta ("Pesticides: a Hidden Threat," 09.06.2004) and Radio Liberty ("The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Came into Effect," 24.05.2004).
Outputs:
Brochure preparation and dissemination
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising
Russia
24RUS Volgograd Ecopress GDA English .pdf 329KB
Volgograd Ecopress
On April 22, 2005, in Volgograd, "Volgograd Ecopress" Information Centre and "Ecology" Club conducted two youth-oriented awareness raising actions: "Act with Us against POPs!" These actions were conducted in the central area of Volgograd, in the most polluted Krasnoarmeiskiy district of the city, where the main industrial facilities of Volgograd operate. Schoolchildren, students of Volgograd State Agriculture Academy and Volgograd subsidiary of Moscow University of Consumers' Co-operation informed the city residents on the problem of environmental contamination by POPs. For two hours, at the key crossroads of the city, students displayed their posters and used loudspeakers to inform the city residents on POPs-related problems in Volgograd. In the course of the action, they distributed awareness-raising booklets on the threat of environmental pollution by Volgograd industrial facilities and hazardous effects of accumulation and spread of these substances. Students of law departments, under the auspices of the Students' Legal Clinic, explained to the city residents what available options they have to materialise their rights for healthy environment. In the course of the action, more than 300 Volgograd residents signed a special petition, addressed to directors of industrial plants of the city. The petition was published in printed media outlets and mailed to directors of chemical, petrochemical and metallurgic facilities of Volgograd
Outputs:
Two youth awareness-raising actions
Petition with 300 signatures
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Youth
Russia
27RUS Dioxin and PCB Monitoring in Russia .pdf 407KB>
Iksorka
The project is aimed at reducing adverse impacts of POPs on health of local residents, (particularly children), residents of the impact zone of Karabash copper enterprise, Cheliabinsk region, and Tobolsk oil and chemical enterprise in the Tumen region, Russia. In the course of the project implementation, human contamination by dioxins, furans and PCBs was studied. Samples of breast milk of nursing mothers of Karabash and Tobolsk cities were collected with application of the WHO methodology. The quantitative chemical analysis of 17 toxic polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans was carried out using US EPA 16 13 method as well as 12 toxic PCBs using US 166 8A method. The study used a socio-medical screening of breast milk donors and their families, as well as conduction of multi-factor analysis for further development of a model of POPs circulation in the population of Karabash and Tobolsk cities residents. Average levels of dioxins / furans in Karabash were 19.99 WHO - TEQ pg/g fat and in Tobolsk, 9.56 WHO - TEQ pg/g fat. Average levels of PCBs were 12.6 WHO - TEQ pg/g fat and 17.9 WHO - TEQ pg/g fat in Karabash and Tobolsk respectively.
Outputs:
Biomonitoring study of dioxins, furans and PCBs in human milk
Keywords:
Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); PCBs; Monitoring and assessment
Russia
28RUS POPs Contam in Food Products in Russia .pdf 462KB
Environment-Risk-Health
In regions of Russia with already identified or potential presence of POPs pollution, almost no information is available on contamination of local food products. Therefore, this study examined PCBs, DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorocyclohexane, and HCB in home-raised chicken eggs from Novomoskovsk (a former site of PCB manufacturing) and Chapaevsk (a former site of organochlorine pesticide production). The data showed very high levels of PCBs, DDT and HCB. In fact, this study identified a new POPs contamination hotspot where no studies of health and environmental impacts of POPs have been conducted. The project implementation allowed improved cooperation on POPs-related problems between the academic community, environmental and health NGOs, supervisory bodies and authorities.
Outputs:
Biomonitoring on chicken eggs from two areas
Discovery of a new POPs hotspot in Russia
Keywords:
Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); PCBs; Monitoring and assessment; POPs hotspots
Russia
29RUS Public Participation in Obs Pest Inventories .pdf 335KB
Women Network in the Urals
This project convened four citizen-led groups to study pesticide storage in four zones of Chelyabinsk Oblast (in territories of 258 rural settlements). The groups discovered 67,846 tons of banned and obsolete pesticides. All pesticide storage facilities were evenly distributed within the territories of rural districts, and all the facilities were found to be extremely dilapidated. As a result, the storage areas pose serious health and environmental risks. The project team recommended adding the sites to the official government inventory. The results were submitted to government authorities and supported by several agencies resulting in adding the sites to the inventory and allocating up to 70 million roubles for containment and clean up.
Outputs:
Examination of four oblast zones for obsolete pesticides
Characterization of sites
Sites added to government inventory
Money allocated for containment and cleanup
Keywords:
Obsolete pesticides; Policy and legislation
Russia
30RUS Survey of Russian Chemicals Policy .pdf 642KB
Eco-Accord, Federal Agency on Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Control; Greenpeace Russia; Volgograd Ecopress; JSC Kaustic; and Eco-SPES
This survey of the chemicals management policy of the Russian Federation examined both existing and draft laws and regulations and assessed them for compliance, monitoring and sanction opportunities. The survey also incorporated good practices of sustainable chemical management, both at the governmental level and at the level of NGOs. Most importantly, the survey provides specific recommendations for improvement of the Russian legislation in the sphere of regulation of chemical substances including POPs. In particular, these recommendations call on Russian authorities to ensure integration of chemical safety issues into governmental development strategies, programs and plans; to ratify international environmental treaties on chemical safety and ensure efficient public participation in their implementation; to guarantee transparency of finance flows from international financial institutions and donor countries for elimination of toxic chemicals; and search for safer alternatives. The survey was discussed for three months via Eco-Accord's electronic news service, which made it possible to provide information to more than 2,500 subscribers all over the region. Comments from NGOs, scientific and business experts made an important contribution to the quality of the survey.
Outputs:
Report: A survey of chemicals management policy of the Russian Federation
Keywords:
Policy and legislation
Russia
30RUS Workshop Enviro Health Impacts Chemicals .pdf 363KB
Eco-Accord
On the eve of European Parliament's decision concerning Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH), Eco-Accord held a groundbreaking workshop on "Health and environmental impacts of toxic chemicals: chemical management policies of Russia and EU countries." The workshop in Moscow opened a number of meetings where issues of REACH implementation and its compliance with EECCA national systems of standards have been addressed. The Moscow seminar was attended by NGOs from the EECCA region, representatives from governmental institutions, business and academia. Recommendations for improvement of chemical management policies of the Russian Federation were prepared. The second day of the workshop was focused on the role of NGOs in addressing problems of toxic impacts on human health and the environment from POPs and other chemicals. Outcomes of the most successful IPEP projects were presented. Workshop participants discussed perspectives of NGO involvement in activities on chemical safety and international events on chemicals management. Ways and obstacles of making local NGOs more active in addressing issues of chemical safety were discussed. It was decided to form a regional NGO network of experts working on chemical safety and related issues.
Outputs:
Two day workshop on chemical management policies and NGO experiences in IPEP
Formation of regional NGO expert team
Dissemination of draft report to 2,500 subscribers of news service for comments
Report: Health and environmental impact of toxic chemicals: chemical management policies of Russia and EU countries
Keywords:
Policy and legislation; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; POPs Hotspots; Health and ecosystem impacts; Monitoring and assessment
Russia
32RUS BFRs in Russia .pdf 531KB
Eco-SPES
Since two brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been proposed for addition to the Stockholm Convention (pentaBDE and octaBDE), this project activity sought further information on these substances in Russia. The study sampled air and dust in offices, residential rooms, computer rooms and sewage sludge, and sent the samples for measurement of pentaBDE, octaBDE, decaBDE, pentabromobiphenyl, octabromobiphenyl, and decabromobiphenyl. The data shows PBDE levels ranging from 16-840 ng/g in dust. High levels of the polybrominatedbiphenyl family were found in offices and residential rooms. Finally, all isomers of PBDEs were found in sludge of wastewater treatment facilities at levels ranging from 50-840 ng/g sludge. This is only the second study to measure BFRs in Russia and the first to measure the substances in computer rooms.
Outputs:
Second study of BFRs performed in Russia and the first to examine computer rooms
Monitoring study of BFRs in air and dust in a variety of media
Dissemination of project results to NGOs and government authorities
Keywords:
New POPs; Monitoring and assessment
Russia
33RUS Public Hearings on Khimprom .pdf 328KB
The Union of Ecologists of the Republic of Bashkortostan
In 2005, Ufa residents commemorated the fifteenth anniversary of the phenol and dioxin accident, associated with phenol discharge of "Khimprom" plant in Ufa and poisoning of 670,000 city residents by drinking water, contaminated by chlorinated phenols. Now, the company is in the midst of bankruptcy procedures, but the site of its chemical plant is still a source of environmental pollution by dioxins and other toxic chemicals. In order to discuss potential options of company reorganization, and to coordinate design work and attract the attention of federal agencies and the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention to the problem, the Union of Environmentalists of Bashkiria conducted public hearings on an assessment of the environmental impacts of "Ufakhimprom" Co. and discussed some conceptual options for the project. The hearings were held on February 28, 2006, with participation of top managers and specialists of 12 R&D facilities, representatives of the Ufa City Administration, 16 governmental supervisory bodies, seven NGOs and eight mass media outlets, as well as managers of "Ufakhimprom" Co. and former employees of the company. Participants of the public hearings were informed of results of research studies on the health impacts of dioxins. In particular, it was noted that the adverse impacts zone of "Ufakhimprom" plant covers the northern part of the city where several hundred thousand residents live. Recommendations on Elimination of Production Facilities of "Ufakhimprom" Company and Environmental Impact Assessment were prepared.
Outputs:
Public hearing with representatives of government, NGOs, Khimprom and media
Recommendations for next steps on assessment and cleanup
Keywords:
POPs hotspots; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); Policy and legislation; Health and ecosystem impacts
Russia
34RUS Public Participation in POPs Decision Making .pdf 345KB
Volgograd Ecopress
The key aim of the project activity was to strengthen public capacity and participation in decision making aimed at reducing POPs releases into the environment. The activity was focused on sustainable waste management, including waste minimization and the zero waste approach. Information materials on waste minimization approach were prepared and disseminated broadly among interested stakeholders. A seminar with participation of representatives of NGOs, relevant governmental entities and businesses was held with the focus on a non-incineration approach to waste management. Public hearings on the plans to construct a waste incinerator in the vicinity of Volgograd and an installation for hazardous waste destruction at Khimprom enterprise in Volgograd city were organized. Participants of the public hearings approved the following final decisions:
1. To conduct a public environmental assessment of the project of commissioning of the plasma PCBs elimination unit at "Khimprom" Co. facility.
2. To establish public control of environmental expenditures of the oblast budget, including, in particular, expenditures to address the problem of waste at the territory of the oblast.
3. To implement an information campaign in district-level mass media outlets for the city residents on prevention of implementation of municipal waste incineration projects.
Outputs:
Information materials on waste minimization
Seminar on waste management with participation of representatives of NGOs, relevant governmental entities and businesses
Public hearings on waste incinerator plans
Recommendations from public hearings
Keywords:
Waste management and POPs; Policy and legislation
Russia
35RUS DDT in Russian Arctic .pdf 528KB
The North-western Centre of Hygiene and Public Health
Adverse reproductive health effects of DDT and its metabolites are well known mostly from experiments in vitro and in vivo. Epidemiological data from humans is limited, and there is little information on the reproductive health effects of DDT and its metabolites. Using an extended database (346 records)-personal birth histories, reproductive anamnesis, newborn's cards and maternal serum DDTs concentrations-it was evaluated whether DDT and its main metabolites (4,4 DDE and 4.4 DDT) were responsible for certain reproductive health effects among Russian Arctic Indigenous women. Menstrual history; adverse outcomes of pregnancies among Indigenous and non-Indigenous puerperal women, fetus pathology, offspring sex ratio, possible associations and dose dependencies of adverse outcomes of pregnancies and offspring pathology with blood concentrations of DDTs were studied.
Outputs:
Report: DDT and DDE in the Russian Arctic and reproductive health of Indigenous Peoples
Keywords:
DDT; Indigenous Peoples and POPs; Health and ecosystem impacts; Monitoring and assessment
Russia
37RUS Eval of Health Risks of Obsolete Pest Stockpiles .pdf 338KB
Women Network in the Urals
This project activity was aimed at analyzing the potential risk of obsolete pesticide stockpiles for human health and the environment by sampling water, soil and locally produced food in the vicinity of existing obsolete pesticide storage facilities to identify the presence of DDT, hexachlorane and granosan (ethylmercury chloride). Thirty samples were collected, including 18 soil samples, six water samples, three sediment samples, and 3 plant samples. During project implementation area surveys were conducted using Eco-Accord's "Methodological Recommendations for NGOs on Primary Inventories of Banned and Obsolete Presides and Agricultural Chemicals" with active participation of local residents and NGOs. Inventory reports and recommendations were submitted to executive bodies for relevant response actions, as well as broad dissemination of results among members of the general public.
Outputs:
Measurements of POPs in 30 samples of soil, water, sediment and plants
Report submitted to executive bodies
Dissemination of results to general public
Report: Evaluation of potential risk of obsolete pesticide stockpiles for human health and the environment
Keywords:
Obsolete pesticides; Monitoring and assessment
Russia
38RUS Public Campaign and Health Impacts of Pesticides .pdf 384KB
Volgograd Ecopress
This activity examined public environmental assessment documents and other information on production, import, distribution and application of pesticides in the Southern part of Russia from 1984 to 2005. Later, field visits to hotspots-i.e., facilities for storage of stockpiles of banned and obsolete pesticides located in Volgograd region for implementation of monitoring activities-were organized. Using Eco-Accord Methodological Recommendations for NGOs on inventory of obsolete pesticide stockpiles, local people were involved in the identification of obsolete pesticides in the Volgograd region. Pesticide residues in food samples were analyzed. Project outcomes were broadly disseminated among Russian NGOs.
Outputs:
Characterization of obsolete pesticide storage facilities
Monitoring of various media
Dissemination of results to NGOs
Keywords:
Obsolete pesticides; Monitoring and assessment
S
Senegal.
Slovakia.
South Africa.
Sri Lanka.
Sudan.
Syria.
Senegal:
Senegal
2SEN International Conference on MEAs French .pdf 220KB
2SEN International Conference on MEAs .pdf 353KB
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Africa
PAN Africa organized an international conference of government delegates and NGOs from 17 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Morroco, Niger, Republic of Central Africa, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo and Tunisia. PAN Africa handled all meeting logistics and planning for four plenary sessions and three workgroups. The conference mainly aimed to identify all factors that hinder the signing, the ratification and the implementation of the Stockholm Convention, Basel Convention, Rotterdam Convention, and SAICM, as well as to suggest solutions to facilitate their enforcement in African countries. An important topic was NGO involvement in the Stockholm Convention National Implementation Plan and other chemical safety policies and the obstacles and solutions to full NGO participation. The meeting helped improve capacity and knowledge of the Stockholm Convention and other agreements, and it suggested solutions to obstacles in implementing them.
Outputs:
Two-day international conference with government representatives and NGOs from 17 countries
Keywords:
Policy and legislation; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising
Senegal
5SEN Senegal_eggsreport .pdf 698KB
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Africa
Free-range chicken eggs collected near the Mbeubeuss dumpsite in one of Dakar's suburbs in Senegal showed very high levels of dioxins and elevated levels of PCBs. The dioxin levels in the eggs were more than 11 times higher than the existing European Union (EU) limit for these chemicals. The PCB levels in eggs were more than 1.7 times higher than the newly proposed EU limit for PCBs in eggs. To our knowledge, this study represents the first data about POPs in chicken eggs from Senegal. The most obvious potential source of POPs releases at the site is chlorine-containing waste disposed at the Mbeubeuss dumpsite and uncontrolled burning of the chlorine-containing waste products such as commonly found PVC plastics. The high levels of U-POPs represent a concern for wider contamination, as the rubbish dump is located on one part of the Mbeubeuss lake bottom, parallel to the Atlantic coast.
Outputs:
First-of-a-kind study of POPs in chicken eggs
Dissemination of study results to public media
Report: Contamination of chicken eggs near the Mbeubeuss dumpsite by dioxins, PCBs and hexachlorobenzene
Keywords:
POPs hotspots; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); Waste management and POPs; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising
Senegal
6SEN Waste Management in Senegal French .pdf 734KB
6SEN Waste Management in Senegal .pdf 422KB
Association pour la Défense de l'Environnement et des Consommateurs (ADEC)
Thies is the third largest region of Senegal and currently collects 50 tons of waste a day and dumps it in a former quarry. The dump regularly releases smoke that can be perceived 2 km away. ADEC characterized and assessed the current waste management situation and proposed a local waste management strategy to minimize POPs formation. The plan involves policy proposals on household containers, selection of wastes and waste dumping. Implementation proposals include the use of regulation, economic instruments and awareness-raising. Field studies and extensive interviews were used to develop the proposal, and the results were disseminated regionally and nationally.
Outputs:
Field studies of waste management handling
Interviews with government stakeholders, residents and experts
Policy report: The waste management issue in Senegal: outlining solutions to the waste incineration in Thies
Dissemination of the results regionally and nationally
Keywords:
Waste management and POPs; Policy and legislation; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising
Senegal
9SEN Dioxins and Informal Sector in Senegal French .pdf 1,715KB
9SEN Dioxins and Informal Sector in Senegal .pdf 537KB
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Africa
This activity examined informal sector practices leading to formation and release of unintentionally produced POPs such as dioxins and furans. The study identified and described several potential sources of dioxins and furans including artisan smelting plants; lead extraction from motor vehicle batteries; burning of wastes; iron extraction from tires; and smoking of skins. Recommendations for POPs reduction and elimination include improved public awareness in the informal sector; better understanding of informal sector contribution to dioxin releases; assessment of local populations for POPs contamination; and alternative cleaner technologies and livelihoods. The results of the study culminated in the making of a short documentary film on DVD for public awareness-raising.
Outputs:
Report: Inventory of some informal sector activities releasing POPs in Senegal
Documentary film on the subject illustrating the results of the study
Keywords:
Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); Inventories and data collection; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising
Senegal
10SEN Pesticides and Conservation of Seafood .pdf 497KB
AGRINAT
DDT is often mentioned for its use in preserving sea food in Senegal. This study sought to confirm whether DDT was used in Mbour, the most important fishing port in Senegal. Two dried fish samples were sent for analysis but DDT was not found. Instead, one fish sample contained chlorpyrifos (banned in Cameroon and for residential use in the US) and the other contained fenitrothion (builds up in the food chain). Public awareness-raising on DDT and other POPs also formed an important part of the activity. The objective was to build cooperation between fishing workers, professional organizations and the technical services (health and fishing) in order to join actions for the elimination of DDT and all POPs.
Outputs:
Report: Pesticide use in the processing and conservation of sea products
Public awareness-raising on POPs among fisher workers
Keywords:
DDT; Pesticides, agriculture and integrated pest management; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising
Slovakia:
Slovakia
1SLO Kosice Municipal Waste Incinerator .pdf 659KB
Priatelia Zeme - SPZ (Friends of the Earth Slovakia)
This activity reviewed sources of POPs pollution in Slovakia with a special focus on the Kosice municipal waste incinerator. The incinerator caught the attention of the public when testing data revealed that its dioxin emissions were 80 times higher than EU regulatory limits. The study examines the history of the incinerator, documenting changing ownership, a massive fire, an attack on recycling, and problems with public right to know. Finally, the report describes the possibilities for a positive solution to avoid costly incinerator reconstruction.
Outputs:
Report: Košice municipal waste incinerator: a POPs hotspot in Slovakia
Dissemination of findings and press releases
Keywords:
Waste management and POPs; Policy and legislation; Alternatives to practices that use or generate POPs
Slovakia
2SLO Monitoring POPs Pesticides in Slovakia .pdf 4,479KB
Slovak 2SLO Monitoring POPs Pesticides in Slovakia - Slovak Version .pdf 4,646KB
OIKOS
POPs pesticides were banned in the 1980s and 1990s in Slovakia, but their residues persist in the environment, food, and humans. This activity focuses on how POPs pesticides and some other POPs are monitored in Slovakia. The report identifies responsible ministries, which substances are measured, and which media are examined. The study identified gaps, threats and opportunities to improve the system to make it more integrated and to better protect human health and the environment.
Outputs:
Report: Monitoring of POPs pesticides in the Slovak Republic
Keywords:
Pesticides, agriculture and integrated pest management; Monitoring and assessment; Policy and legislation
Slovakia
3SLO Hazardous Waste Incin and POPs in Slovakia .pdf 646KB
Priatelia Zeme - SPZ (Friends of the Earth Slovakia) and Arnika - Toxics and Waste Programme br>
This activity responds to plans by the NISAK Company to build a new hazardous waste incinerator in the middle of the Western Slovakia region, which would be dedicated to burn wastes containing high levels of POPs. The study critically examines the environmental and health impact of the project and discusses it in light of Stockholm Convention objectives. The activity also prepared a public awareness-raising campaign on POPs and a plan for public participation in decision-making processes concerning POPs.
Outputs:
Report: Policy brief on environment impact assessment of the regional recovery and destruction centre for hazardous waste in the Western Slovakia Region
Public awareness-raising campaign with press conference and press releases
Keywords:
Waste management and POPs; Policy and legislation; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising
Slovakia
4SLO RSTO Landfill in Slovakia .pdf 431KB
Priatelia Zeme - SPZ (Friends of the Earth Slovakia)
This activity produced a hotspot report on a hazardous waste landfill and launched a public awareness-raising campaign to highlight the importance of decisions taken about POPs waste within policy strategies at both the national and international levels. The RSTO landfill lacks appropriate seals to prevent POPs and other toxic chemicals from leaching out. The study examined government documents on landfill construction and types of hazardous waste permitted which includes POPs sources. The awareness-raising campaign translated materials from the Regional Hub; updated them with country-relevant information; and disseminated the materials to key stakeholders.
Outputs:
Report: The RSTO hazardous waste landfill: a POPs waste hotspot
Translation of key information, updating with country relevant information
Press releases and information dissemination to key stakeholders
Keywords:
Waste management and POPs; Policy and legislation; Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; POPs hotspots
Slovakia
5SLO Slovakia Country Situation Report .pdf 1,058KB
Priatelia Zeme - SPZ (Friends of the Earth Slovakia)
Friends of the Earth Slovakia focused their country situation report on unintentionally produced POPs. The report includes information on contamination of the environment and humans by these chemicals, as well as sources of pollution in Slovakia and what damages have been caused by them. Representative studies and data about known POPs levels and contamination of soil, water, food and people (breast milk, blood and in some other biological materials) are summarized in the report. The report is a useful reference document on unintentionally produced POPs that provides the basic information required by NGOs in Slovakia to prepare awareness-raising activities and materials, identify further areas of investigation, plan campaigns and prepare for a meaningful role in NIP preparations.
Outputs:
Report: Country situation report on POPs in Slovakia
Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes
South Africa:
South Africa
1SAF National App of BAT in South Africa .pdf 668KB
Earthlife Africa (ELA)
The project activity aimed to develop, in a consultative and pro-active manner, a policy on Best Available Techniques that will apply to South Africa, in a way that is relevant, accurate and feasible. The activity proved to be a process that clarified stakeholders thinking about the challenges that face South Africa and how best to engage with themselves to move the country forward along the path to sustainability and the phasing out of POPs. Earthlife Africa proposed some alternatives to incineration and DDT use for malaria. Alternatives to incineration options include BAT, principles, policies and regulations, waste minimization, recycling, and use of autoclave and microwave for medical waste. For DDT, the use of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) was recommended as an alternative, non-chemical control method.
Outputs:
Report: South Africa policy brief: national application of Best Available Techniques (BAT) to eliminate POPs and their by-products
Keywords:
Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); DDT; Policy and legislation
South Africa
2SAF GDA in South Africa .pdf 350KB
groundWork
The objective of the Global Day of Action held on April 22, 2005, was to raise awareness about IPEN's "Keep the Promise" campaign for the implementation of the Stockholm Convention and the issues to be addressed at COP1, just ten days later. The activity raised awareness of POPs, their sources and effects, and the need to take action among the public, government, NGOs and other parts of civil society. Activities included distribution of information to civil society on incineration and cement kilns; health and environmental effects; opposition in other countries; alternatives and action that can be taken by communities to stop incineration processes; preparation and dissemination of information pamphlet on cement kilns; pollutants released and their problems; and alternatives.
Outputs:
Dissemination of POPs information to NGOs and the public
Press releases and media articles
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Waste management and POPs
South Africa
3SAF GDA in South Africa .pdf 31KB
Earthlife Africa (ELA)
The objective of the Global Day of Action was to raise awareness around the unintentional formation of POPs resulting from the burning of plastics, particularly PVC. Activities included awareness-raising on a Zero Waste Campaign which would promote recycling and avoid materials such as PVC that generate POPs during burning. Campaigners, members, students, family and friends got together to build a five-meter tall sculpture from plastic waste, in an effort to raise awareness around the toxicity of plastics. Flyers and newsletters were prepared and handed out to passers-by. Interviews were also held with national and regional radio stations.
Outputs:
Preparation of materials on POPs
Dissemination of materials, including radio interviews
Sculpture made of plastic waste
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Waste management and POPs
South Africa
4SAF Incineration and POPs Release in South Africa .pdf 631KB
groundWork
This research study explored proposed activities in South Africa that will potentially result in the release of POPs into the environment. Such activities include incineration of hazardous waste and medical waste. The study examined specific facilities; the history of incinerator and cement kiln use in South Africa; how these activities generate POPs; environmental, socioeconomic and health consequences; and alternative practices. This work aimed to produce information that would help feed into the South African National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention.
Outputs:
Report: Incineration and POPs release in South Africa
Keywords:
Waste management and POPs
South Africa
5SAF DDT Contamination in South Africa .pdf KB
groundWork
This activity outlines the extent of DDT usage and contamination in South Africa, focusing primarily on the effect of its continued usage as a malaria vector control tool after it was reintroduced into the country during a localized malaria epidemic in 2000. The report explores areas such as DDT-contaminated sites, the South African government's position on DDT, DDT and international commitments, health and DDT, chemical characterization, as well as alternatives and recommendations for DDT use.
Outputs:
Report: DDT contamination in South Africa
Keywords:
DDT; Alternatives to practices that use or generate POPs
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka
1SRL Sri Lanka Country Situation Report .pdf 510KB
Centre for Environmental Justice
The report gives a detailed description of the POPs situation in the country of Sri Lanka, including information about known levels of POPs and current and planned measures to address them. Issues addressed include information about Convention ratification and information about progress under Convention Enabling Activities. The report also includes country-specific and relevant information about POPs, POPs sources, pollution pathways, harmful effects and the kinds of measures that will be required to reduce and eliminate POPs and their sources in Sri Lanka. According to the report, the primary source of POPs in Sri Lanka is agricultural pesticides. Pressing issues such as controlling illegal imports of POPs are also addressed. The report is primarily addressed to NGOs, academics, and others with a public policy interest and also acts as a useful reference document for NGOs to prepare awareness-raising activities and materials, identify further areas of investigation, plan awareness campaigns, and contribute to a meaningful role in NIP preparations.
Outputs:
Country situation report
Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes
Sri Lanka
2 SRL GDA in Sri Lanka .pdf 581KB
Centre for Environmental Justice
To observe the "Global Day of Action on POPs," CEJ, along with the Green Movement of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Environmental Exploration Society (SLEES), organized a workshop entitled, "Impact of Open Burning; Elimination of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)" on April 29, 2005, targeted at environmental activists, farmers, media and industry to create awareness on the harmful effects of POPs. The workshop boasted more than 60 participants and was supported by the POPs Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. In addition to the workshop, a live radio talk show on POPs was organized on April 22, 2005, leading up to the event and was broadcast at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). The message reached more than one million listeners. The focus of the activities and campaign was on open burning of garbage and toxic waste that generates POPs. Awareness materials such as a poster, booklet, sticker and folders on POPs were produced in Singhalese and disseminated widely.
Outputs:
Live radio broadcast on POPs reaching over one million listeners
Production of local language poster, booklet, stickers, folder and other POPs materials
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Waste management and POPs; Unintentionally produced POPs (dioxins, furans, HCB, PCBs); Health and ecosystem impacts
Sri Lanka
3SRL National Training and Awareness on POPs in Sri Lanka .pdf 497KB
Centre for Environmental Justice
Low-level awareness on POPs often results in practices that increase POPs levels. Civil society, if informed and empowered, can play a meaningful role in creating awareness and contributing to national implementation of the Stockholm Convention. To tackle the issue, Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), in association with Green Movement Sri Lanka, took up an extensive awareness and training program for NGOs, government and the media. The workshop, which had 70 participants, was successful and even had a multiplier affect, with participating NGOs sharing the knowledge they had gained in the training with other communities and organizations, increasing POPs awareness and highlighting risks to human health, the environment and the need for elimination. Subsequent to the workshop, media also became sensitized to the topic and covered it, spreading the message among the wider population through educated news reporting. Concerned government officials are now also recognizing efforts of stakeholders, contributing to further linkages to ensure smooth implementation of POPs management activities.
Outputs:
Awareness and training program conducted for NGOs, government and media
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Health and ecosystem impacts
Sri Lanka
4SRL Public Awareness PCBs and POPs Vigiliance .pdf 410KB
Balangoda Environmental Forum
This report documents the BEF's POPs awareness-raising activities, including a survey of current POPs conditions, data collection on the status of PCB transformers and suggestions on how to reduce levels of POPs emissions in the environment. The activity consisted of awareness sessions organized with different target groups, including school children, through the use of POPs Vigilance Committees; the staff of the Ceylon Electricity Board; municipal workers; and medical staff, educating attendees about the harmful health effects of POPs. A transformer inventory was conducted, identifying 113 transformers in the district. This information has been conveyed to the Ceylon Electricity Board. In addition, a rough assessment of transformers with PCB content was made and three transformers were identified as having leakage.
Outputs:
Commitment from Electricity Board to apply a precautionary approach to transformers to reduce the threats posed by POPs, with repairs being taken up in an expedited manner
Formation of a 'POPs Vigilance Committee,' comprised of interested students
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Inventories and data collection; PCBs; Youth
Sudan:
Sudan
1SUD Global Day of Action in Sudan .pdf 342KB
Sudanese Environment Conservation Society (SECS)
In a one-day celebration of the Global Day of Action on POPs organized by SECS in Khartoum, NGOs, government officials, environmental agencies, media, members of the private sector and numerous stakeholders joined together with the aim of promoting awareness of the effects of POPs on human health and environment and to educate the public about the Stockholm Convention. POPs chemicals and their qualities of persistence and bioaccumulation were discussed. A detailed description of the Dirty Dozen and their common uses and sources were provided, including a discussion of POPs pesticides (aldrin, endrin, chlordane, heptachlor, DDT, mirex, dieldrin and toxaphene); industrial chemicals (hexachlorobenzene and PCBs); and by-products of incineration (dioxins and furans). The conference covered the sources and health effects of POPs and included outreach to news media. The conference highlighted the need to eliminate POPs substances and emissions, focused on the detrimental effect that POPs can have on human mental and physical health and cited the need to increase public awareness, enhance public policy and introduce alternatives to POPs.
Outputs:
One-day conference and celebration of the Global Day of Action on POPs
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising
Syria:
Syria
1SYR Syria Country Situation Report .pdf 396KB
Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Society
This report discusses the situation of POPs in Syria, particularly as it relates to pesticides and insecticides listed under the Stockholm Convention, PCBs, and dioxins and furans. Syria was able to conduct inventories and examination of the hazards and ill health effects caused by insecticides, PCBS, dioxins and furans with the assistance of UNEP. The report outlines the role and collaboration of the Ministries in this process. Several national committees have also been formed to assist in better managing toxic chemicals. The report highlights the importance of the NIP process and makes several recommendations, including (in order of priority) reducing pollution of insecticides and pesticides into ground and drinking water; addressing problems of air pollution caused by fuel usage, cement industries, oil refineries, and electrical power generating stations; the need for follow-up by the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment in execution and implementation of the Stockholm Convention; and a tiered national POPs strategy consisting of: 1) an education phase, 2) monitoring phase and 3) participation phase. Need for better technology, more comprehensive environmental regulation and improved coordination and communication were also cited.
Outputs:
Country situation report for Syria available in English
Surveys and inventories
Awareness-raising activities on POPS
Keywords:
Country situation reports for contribution to NIP processes
Syria
2SYR Convention Awareness in Syria .pdf 350KB
Syrian Coast Society for Environmental Protection
In order to raise awareness of POPs in Syria, the Syrian Coast Society for Environmental Protection formed teams to collect information on POPs, developed a sheet for data recording and held three workshops on POPs in the coastal zone of Lazikia and Tartus, where they addressed farmers, agriculture associations and other stakeholders. The workshops included expert lectures and information about POPs, including explanations of the Dirty Dozen, their properties, primary uses and ill effects on health and environment. Components and aims of the Stockholm Convention were also provided in order to educate stakeholders with the hope that they will be able to participate with government and other stakeholders in implementing the Stockholm Convention.
Outputs:
Collection of data and development of data recording sheets
Three POPs awareness-raising workshops in Lazikia and Tartus
Keywords:
Public information, education, capacity-building and awareness-raising; Pesticides, agriculture and integrated pest management
Version: 2.0 (March, 2007)
projects:
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