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Summary
of the discussion of the development of regional guidelines for environmental
quality
Gwangju, Korea, 26 January, 2003
UNU proposed a joint
effort to develop regionally harmonized environmental quality guidelines
that could be shared on a regional basis. The initial timeframe for this
work is 2003-2005. This effort would be intended to facilitate joint action
to remediate existing and potential pollution through the creation of
a regional early-warning system to identify "hotspots," areas
with high or rapidly increasing pollutant levels.
UNU presented the
following process for the development of environmental quality guidelines:
Stock-taking
- Overall estimate of the extent of pollution
- Comparison of existing standards
- Identification of gaps in scientific information & knowledge<
Defining process for regional coordination
- Identifying key stakeholders
- Develop a dialogue mechanisms
- Conduct professional and thematic roundtable
- Develop draft quality guidelines
- Conduct peer and stakeholder reviews
- Discussion and negotiation
- Adoption
Implementation
Facilitation of dialogue: A discussion including
representatives of all nine partner laboratories to be included in the
project was undertaken, in order to clarify the scope and aims of the
project. Regarding the implementation mechanism for the project, UNU's
role as a facilitator was agreed by participants. The proposed a process
for the development of the environmental quality guidelines also received
general approval. Participants noted that the existing UNU network could
be used for the project, and suggested that it should be used to start
off the project as an initial working group. The need for further capacity
development was highlighted by some participants.
Scope of the work to be undertaken:
- Countries to be included: Representatives from laboratories in all nine
countries expressed an interest: China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
the Phillippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
- Consideration of the chemicals to be selected as a focus for
the exercise: It was concluded amongst the participants that
initially, organochlorine pesticides should be investigated in
order to maintain the priority on POPs monitoring. Aldrin,
Dieldrin, Endrin, DDT and Lindane. These will continue to be
monitored by the group. Some data also already exists on other
EDC's, including a range of phenols and phthalates.
- Major stakeholder groups to be considered: these should include
ministries that are already working with the project e.g.,
Thailand, the researcher community, general public, industries
and NGOs. Different groups could be involved at different stages
in the process. The importance of engaging the participation
and support of government officials was highlighted by participants.
Creation of Environmental Quality guidelines:
- Quality guidelines should be harmonized to correlate to existing
classification systems. WHO and EPA can be used as a common reference source, as well
as existing environmental quality standards from those countries that
already have them.
- Philosophical question raised regarding the setting of environmental
quality standards: should it be based on toxicity to humans or for aquatic
organisms? For example, with dioxins, the levels for toxicity vary amongst
the species. Humans should be the first priority, but both need to be
considered. The project could include a focus on criteria for the preservation
of aquatic life in freshwater and seawater.
- What is the effect to be considered harmful, and how can a lowest possible
concentration that would cause this effect be identified? Some countries
already have some toxicity data. Other countries do not have this kind
of data. Maybe we can start with that?
- Regional harmonization of environmental quality standards: this was
widely agreed as necessary. However, the issue of regional variation in
climate and exposure habits was raised. For example, climactic conditions
and the levels of fish consumption vary across the region and therefore
population exposures to chemicals in the environment, even at similar
concentrations, can also vary.
- Additional comment: Environmental Quality Standards are an end of pipe
solution. Why don't we go upstream? PRTR for each country is needed.
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