Pansak
Pramokchon
Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
Twelve POPs including aldrin and dieldrin,
endrin, chlordane, DDT, heptachlor, mirex, toxaphene, hexachlorobenzene, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs, and polychlorinated
dibenzof rans (PCDs, designated as targets to be eliminated, share common
properties such as high toxicity, persistence in environment, bio-accumulate
in fatty tissues of living organisms, travel long distances, and naturally
migrate towards colder climate.
A number of adverse health effects
are found to be triggered by POPs at extraordinarily low concentrations. The
twelve POPs are found to have a close relationship, though subtle, with health
effects such as cancer, neu robehavioral impairment, immune system biochemical
alterations, and reproductive deficits and others. Yet, it has, recently, been questioned
whether the banning of these twelve POPs is sufficient for protecting health of
people.
Seeing that chemicals can be harmful
to human health as well as environment, appropriate chemical management is
defined as the mechanism for minimizing health effects of chemicals.
Accordingly, Thailand’s National Master Plan on Chemical Safety has been
developed and laid down to facilitate chemical management in Thailand. The currently
implemented National Master Plan is the second plan which will be concluded by
2006 whereas the third plan is in the midst of the drafting process.