POPs Invade Far Reaches of the Earth
LONDON, UK, August 12, 1999 (ENS) - Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have spread to the most remote and pristine parts of the environment, such as the Arctic and deep oceans, according to a new report issued today by Greenpeace International.
The report, "Tip of the Iceberg," warns that these pollutants, which can travel thousands of miles from the origins of their production and use, can also find their way into the human food chain. The full extent of contamination of the environment with POPs is unknown.
In Geneva this September, the United Nations Environment Program will host the third negotiation round for a global treaty for the elimination of POPs. The 12 POPs now addressed by this agreement in formation are: the pesticides aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex and toxaphene; the industrial chemicals polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorabenzine which is also a pesticide; and the combustion byproducts dioxins and furans.
The new Greenpeace report cites concerns relating to other synthetic substances, including:
- Brominated flame retardants, designed to reduce the fire hazard in personal computers and other electrical consumer products, have already been found in whales living in the deep oceans.
- Synthetic musk compounds, used as fragrances in detergents, fabric softeners, and other household products, have been found in human breast milk.
- TributylTin (TBT), an additive in ship paint, is held responsible for the development of male sex characteristics in female snails. It is detectable in fish, mussels and other marine life, particularly in harbours and coastal waters, as a result of its historic and continuing widespread use. Levels of TBT in the sediment in Vancouver's Burrard Inlet are the second highest on record world-wide.
"These examples may be just the tip of the iceberg," said Greenpeace scientist Dr. Paul Johnston, one of the authors of the report. "For substances which have been banned for some time, levels in wildlife are decreasing only slowly. At the same time, many chemicals with similarly hazardous properties continue to be used and released to the environment every day."
Risk assessment of chemicals in Europe is a "complete failure in terms of controlling [their] effects on the environment," the Greenpeace International report said. Levels of contamination for brominated flame retardants, are increasing in Europe.
Greenpeace has sent its ship MV Greenpeace to the Nordic Arctic to highlight the toxic contamination of this formerly pristine wilderness and to urge governments in Europe to stop further pollution.
"Many thousands of chemicals are produced and released for which the hazards are poorly understood. This is an illustration of the lack of responsibility for the chemicals we manufacture and use," said Dr. Johnston.
Morag Simpson, Greenpeace Canada toxics campaigner, who will be attending the POPs elimination meeting in Geneva next month, said, "What's true of the Nordic Arctic is true of the Canadian Arctic. Even though much of Canada is perceived to be pristine wilderness, we are actually the final resting place of many persistent organic pollutants, which travel thousands of miles from
their point of origin. Rocky Mountain lakes are contaminated with DDT and other pesticides from Asia.
Canadian polar bears carry so many pollutants in their body tissues that their long term survival may be at risk," Simpson said.
The Canadian government has announced it will spend Cdn$83 million on researching the impacts of toxic synthetic chemicals on human and wildlife health. Simpson urged authorities to fast track this research.
In 1989 the Canadian government banned the use of TBT as an anti-foulant on boats under 25 metres
in length. Despite this, a 1994 survey in B.C. found 100 percent of some species of female snails showed male sex characteristics at many locations in the Georgia Strait that separates Vancouver Island from the mainland of British Columbia.
The Greenpeace report is an attempt to influence policy makers including those at the European Commission, which is drawing up a consultation document on future chemicals policy for publication next year.
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