East Asia Monitor
UNU
e-Newsletter
Zafar Adeel
United Nations University, Japan
When you buy a diamond at a store, the price you pay is set according to its quality. Fortunately for us, the quality standards for diamonds are globally established based on their weight, color, clarity, cut and shape. These standards help to determine a diamond's worth the world over and explain why the expression "diamonds are forever" is accepted universally. Not so fortunately, we have not yet arrived at the point where we can have universal standards for water quality. This should be surprising considering that, in many different ways, water is the most valuable element of our lives.
I raise this subject in the context of the water pollution monitoring programme that UNU has been conducting in the East Asian region since 1996. This programme has involved laboratories in nine countries, with each undertaking a pre-defined annual national monitoring programme. One good success we have achieved is the harmonization of sample collection and analytical methodologies. However, we have faced a newer and somewhat unexpected challenge in this monitoring effort.
During the 1999-2002 phase of the monitoring programme, we observed a broad variability in measured concentrations of various pollutants, particularly organochlorine pesticides. As the purpose of the monitoring programme is to provide guidelines to East Asian countries in how to handle land-based sources of pollution, this broad range of observed concentrations leaves us in quandary. The situation is exacerbated because the standards for these pollutants vary considerably from country to country - as in the example shown here for DDT standards for drinking water.
In the case of surface water quality standards, the situation is more complicated. For many pollutants of importance, including POPs, there are no standards readily available. For others, the quality standards vary by orders of magnitude; DDT again is one such pollutant. Finally, the standards are variable in accordance with the system of surface water categorization, which is usually linked to its uses (i.e., drinking water supply, recreation, navigation, etc.).
The dilemma is quite simple: How to determine whether an observed pollutant concentration should raise concerns and perhaps remedial action, or not? A related question: What significance should be assigned to the location of the sampling point and usage of water? One may, for example, argue that higher contaminant levels can be tolerated for water samples collected from remote coastal areas. Conversely, much stricter standards must be applied to water bodies where water is drawn for drinking purposes. While it is important to keep in mind the security of drinking water sources, one should not forget that ecosystem protection often requires standards that are not greatly different from drinking water standards.
Another important concern is the transboundary movement of pollutants. There is a considerable body of scientific evidence that demonstrates significant trends in the dispersion and distribution of pollutants in the Asia Pacific region. The predominant transport mechanism of POPs to coastal areas as their ultimate sink is through surface runoff and groundwater flow. There is also evidence of aerial transport of POPs over great distances - particularly from tropical and subtropical areas to higher latitudes. This means that we have to be concerned not only about pollution in our own backyard but also in our neighbor's backyard or perhaps the entire neighborhood. Consequently, no one can afford to create and apply environmental quality standards in isolation. Poor water quality in a country due to more relaxed standards can still impact the water quality in its neighboring countries.
The foregoing discussion indicates that we must collaborate and coordinate our efforts to understand the level of pollution in the environment. This can be linked to our responses to minimize pollution load at the respective sources and to prioritize remediation of the existing problems. We must agree on a system to identify the pollution levels that should trigger these responses.
The international community can play a significant role in this coordination effort. I use the term "international community," to include regional organizations like ASEAN as well as various United Nations agencies and related development partners. These international players can provide the necessary resources for undertaking research and policy dialogue leading to harmonization of standards. At the same time, they can be instrumental in developing the implementation capacity in the region and in bringing in perspectives and technologies from other regions.
Under the umbrella of the UNU POPs monitoring programme, we wish to undertake a harmonization effort focused on developing water quality guidelines for a few key POPs. This is no easy task. At the same time, it is a task that is immediate and demands our attention. We are hopeful that by working closely with our partners and with the vast array of experts in the region, we can facilitate this specific regional harmonization.