Tackling toxics (page 1 of 2)

The significance of the POPs Convention in reducing toxic threats to wildlife and people throughout the world has been realised by the UAE, which ratified it in July 2002.

POPs are hazardous toxic substances, with even small quantities causing nervous system damage, diseases of the immune system, reproductive and developmental disorders and cancers. They are persistent, resisting normal processes that break down contaminants; they accumulate in the body fat of people, marine mammals and other animals; they are passed from mother to foetus; and they can travel great distances on wind and water currents.

The Toxics Problem
Thousands of man-made chemicals have been developed over the last several decades - chemicals to control disease, increase food production and provide convenience for day-to-day living. Undoubtedly, some chemicals have brought significant benefits - through their use in health care, for example. But many well-intentioned chemicals are threatening people and wildlife with the very qualities that make them useful: toxicity and stability.

Man-made chemicals are in use all around us. From pesticides, cosmetics and baby bottles to cleaning products, clothing, computers and televisions - our 21st century society depends on them. From 1930 and 2000, their global production has increased from 1 million to 400 million tonnes each year.

What is worrying is the discovery that some 300 man-made chemicals - many used in common consumer products - have been found in humans and wildlife. And while their effects on human and animal health are largely unknown, evidence is mounting that they cause a number of serious health problems, including cancer, damage to the immune system, behavioural problems and reduced fertility.

The chemicals are stable and can accumulate in the body fat of animals. They can also escape into water, soil and air during their manufacture, use or disposal, as well as from accidental leaks or fires in products containing these chemicals. Once in the environment, they can travel for long distances in air and water. People become contaminated either directly from household products or by eating contaminated seafood and animal fats.

Stockholm Treaty
A measure to attack the problem at its source is the landmark Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) that is set to come into force on 17th May 2004. The UAE ratified the POPs treaty on 11th July 2002. Currently there are 151 Signatories to the Convention and 50 Parties, with Yemen and Lebanon being other members from this region.

In implementing the Convention, Governments will take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment. POPs are toxic substances composed of organic (carbon based) chemical compounds and mixtures. They are primarily products and by-products from industrial processes, chemical manufacturing and resulting wastes. Today POPs are found almost everywhere - in our food, soil, air and water.

The treaty targets 12 extremely harmful chemicals, including industrial chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides such as chlordane, and by products such as dioxins; with provisions to add additional chemicals in the future. The WWF played a lead role in negotiations of the treaty, which concluded in May 2001, and has been pressing governments to expedite their ratifications.

WWF's Toxics Programme
The goal of WWF's toxics programme is to end threats to biological diversity from toxic industrial chemicals and pesticides by: helping reduce and eliminate toxics; stimulating increased understanding of the hazards of chemicals; and, promoting alternatives to toxic chemicals.

In June and July 2003, WWF carried out a survey in which 155 volunteers from all over the UK had their blood analysed for over 70 man-made chemicals.