A serious matter: No policy on eliminating organic pollutants
Stakeholders unanimous about acquiring expertise, need for national implementation plan
Stakeholders unanimous about acquiring expertise, need for national implementation plan. STOCK IMAGE
ISLAMABAD:
There is no comprehensive policy or a proper study on use of persistent organic pollutants (POP) in the country. This was revealed at a workshop recently.
The workshop was organised by the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Ministry of Climate Change (MOCC) last week to identify and formulate an action plan for execution of the POPs elimination project.
The aim was to do so through a collaborative process where all stakeholders are onboard and share responsibilities.
POPs are dangerous chemicals used as pesticides in industrial production or generated as by-products in various combustion processes. They are toxic in nature and can cause cancer, allergies, hypersensitivity, reproductive disorders, disruption in immune system and damage to central and peripheral nervous systems, in humans as well as animals.
Some POPs are also considered to be endocrine disruptors, which by altering the hormonal system can damage reproductive and immune systems of exposed individuals as well as their offspring.
MOCC Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan said the government was determined to eliminate POPs by implementing the national implementation plan (NIP), in line with requirements of the Stockholm Convention 2001 and implemented in 2004 to protect human health and the environment from POPs.
Pakistan is a signatory to the convention, which provides a framework and research for elimination of these hazardous pollutants.
“This shall facilitate strengthening the capacity of institutions dealing with POPs, and establishment of coordination mechanisms, and reporting and monitoring of POPs,” he said.
Majority of participants at the workshop urged the elimination of existing POP stockpiles in the country. They were unanimous about acquiring expertise and engaging national and international experts as well as the private sector.
In addition, all stakeholders agreed that there was a strong need for development and enforcement of policy and a national plan.
Provincial governments also stressed on the need for establishing a robust system for monitoring the implementation of policy, regulations and POPs implementation plan.
Experts informed that these compounds can persist for years before breaking down. They circulate globally through a ‘grasshopper effect’ and concentrate in living organisms through bioaccumulation, they said.
Khan said the government would take appropriate measures to ensure implementation of national priorities on POPs. The main priority issues would be grouped in six major areas, he said. These include elimination of POPs, rational management of obsolete stockpiles/contaminated sites, strengthening legal and institutional framework, establishing a monitoring programme, enhancing transfer of appropriate technology and improving public information, awareness and education, the secretary said.
The workshop was attended by government and UNDP officials.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2015.
There is no comprehensive policy or a proper study on use of persistent organic pollutants (POP) in the country. This was revealed at a workshop recently.
The workshop was organised by the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Ministry of Climate Change (MOCC) last week to identify and formulate an action plan for execution of the POPs elimination project.
The aim was to do so through a collaborative process where all stakeholders are onboard and share responsibilities.
POPs are dangerous chemicals used as pesticides in industrial production or generated as by-products in various combustion processes. They are toxic in nature and can cause cancer, allergies, hypersensitivity, reproductive disorders, disruption in immune system and damage to central and peripheral nervous systems, in humans as well as animals.
Some POPs are also considered to be endocrine disruptors, which by altering the hormonal system can damage reproductive and immune systems of exposed individuals as well as their offspring.
MOCC Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan said the government was determined to eliminate POPs by implementing the national implementation plan (NIP), in line with requirements of the Stockholm Convention 2001 and implemented in 2004 to protect human health and the environment from POPs.
Pakistan is a signatory to the convention, which provides a framework and research for elimination of these hazardous pollutants.
“This shall facilitate strengthening the capacity of institutions dealing with POPs, and establishment of coordination mechanisms, and reporting and monitoring of POPs,” he said.
Majority of participants at the workshop urged the elimination of existing POP stockpiles in the country. They were unanimous about acquiring expertise and engaging national and international experts as well as the private sector.
In addition, all stakeholders agreed that there was a strong need for development and enforcement of policy and a national plan.
Provincial governments also stressed on the need for establishing a robust system for monitoring the implementation of policy, regulations and POPs implementation plan.
Experts informed that these compounds can persist for years before breaking down. They circulate globally through a ‘grasshopper effect’ and concentrate in living organisms through bioaccumulation, they said.
Khan said the government would take appropriate measures to ensure implementation of national priorities on POPs. The main priority issues would be grouped in six major areas, he said. These include elimination of POPs, rational management of obsolete stockpiles/contaminated sites, strengthening legal and institutional framework, establishing a monitoring programme, enhancing transfer of appropriate technology and improving public information, awareness and education, the secretary said.
The workshop was attended by government and UNDP officials.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2015.