Call for tough stand on toxic pollutants

Date: 02/11/00

By Renée Cordes

THE European Commission is calling for more than 100 governments to agree a strict timetable for phasing out a dozen toxic pollutants worldwide, amid concern that exposure to the substances causes long-term damage to health and the environment.

Most countries are expected to support efforts to reduce emissions of persistent organic pollutants (POP), believed to be among the most dangerous substances released into the environment, at talks on an international United Nations convention in December.

POPs have been shown to disrupt the hormonal systems of humans and animals. They can also damage reproductive and immune systems, with harmful effects often passed on to offspring.

Among the pollutants likely to be included on the elimination list are aldrin, a pesticide used to kill termites and other insects; DDT, an insecticide which has been detected in food and breast milk; and dioxins, produced unintentionally by incomplete combustion or during the manufacture of pesticides and other substances.

But most of the countries participating in the talks, including the US and Canada, are reluctant to commit themselves to a firm timetable for phasing out these substances, arguing that this would be difficult to enforce as some are not produced deliberately. However, the Com-mission and an increasing number of EU member states led by Denmark insist that without a deadline, there would be no point in blacklisting these chemicals.

Environment ministers are expected to support the Danes' calls for a timetable when they discuss the issue next Tuesday (7 November). The French presidency has added the item to the agenda of a meeting called to discuss climate change, amid growing interest in the issue among member states.

The European Commission is calling for more than 100 governments to agree a strict timetable for phasing out a dozen toxic pollutants worldwide, amid concern that exposure to the substances causes long-term damage to health and the environment.