POPs and Human Health

Several months ago, Eco-Accord Centre initiated a seminar for Russian non-governmental organisations, dedicated to health impacts of persistent organic pollutants. Besides raising awareness of the general public of Russia on consequences of chemical contamination, the seminar was intended to initiate the development of a specific NGOs' action plan for prevention of the contamination and reduction of its adverse health and environmental impacts.

Now, issues of radioactive contamination, real and potential threats of nuclear power plants and transformation of Russia into a some sort of burial site for irradiated nuclear fuel are high on the public agenda. Unfortunately enough, consequences of chemical contamination do not pose lesser health and environmental threats, moreover, sometimes chemical contamination is far more hazardous.

In recent years, specialists focused on the group of persistent organic pollutants. Some of them were known for a long time and were widely used as pesticides. All these substances belong to the group of chlorinated organic compounds and have some common features: they are fairly well destruction-resistant and toxic, they cause reproductive and hormonal disorders, reduce immune status, cause malignant tumours, birth defects and affect development. These substances accumulate in fatty tissues and might be found in locations, where no industrial facilities operate.

Besides concerned environmentalists, medical professionals and non-governmental organisations, these facts induced politicians to address the threat of persistent organic pollutants. In early 1998, the UN Environmental Program (UNEP) initiated the establishment of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the development of a legally binding international document for the implementation of specific actions with respect to twelve POPs. The list of the substances in question incorporated several chlorinated pesticides (aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, DDT, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, toxaphene), and some by-products (dioxins, furanes, polychlorinated biphenyls, hexachlorobenzene).

The document was opened for signature on May 23, 2001 in Stockholm (Sweden). On that day Stockholm Convention was signed by 70 countries, including Canada, Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine. So far, Russia has not signed the Convention. According to Mr. Mamin - the Head of the Russian delegation, the Chief of the International Co-operation Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources (i.e. the lead agency, responsible for development of the Convention text), there are no substantial disagreements between Russian ministries and agencies on the document.

It is important to note, that the fact of a country's signature under Stockholm Convention does not entail any legal or economic consequences - it is a mere demonstration of the country's willingness to co-operate in addressing the specific problem. At the same time, if a country is not a signatory of the Convention, it cannot expect to receive technical/financial assistance for addressing problems, associated with elimination of persistent organic pollutants.

However, it is necessary to bear in mind, that a signature of the international document does not resolve the problem. The Convention would become effective if signed by at least 50 countries. There is a real threat, that Stockholm Convention might follow the path of two other convention - i.e. Basle Convention and Rotterdam Convention. These documents, dealing with management of hazardous waste and chemicals, were signed in 1995 and 1998. So far, none of them has come into force.

It is clear, that we should not expect a miracle and wait for putting these two documents (as well as Stockholm Convention) into force. It would be an act of betrayal of interests of human health and the environment. Non-governmental organisations, protecting the human right for healthy environment, should play a key role in this area.

What is being done in Russia to address the problems of elimination of persistent organic pollutants? What roles do NGOs play in these activities? These issues were discussed at the seminar "Persistent Organic Pollutants and Human Health" (Moscow, May 15-16, 2001). The seminar was organised by Eco-Accord Centre and supported by MATRA (small grants program of the Dutch embassy) and Dutch Fund Mama-Cash.

We propose to your attention summaries of key presentations made at the seminar and, as we think, the most important background documents, reflecting the major potential options for addressing problems, associated with the elimination of persistent organic pollutants. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Eco-Accord Centre. The English translation of the brochure was supported by WECF (Women of Europe for the Common Future).