Chemicals Management Forum San Antonio, Texas May 15-16, 2012 Implementation of Risk Reduction Strategies PBDE Team Commission for Environmental Cooperation

2 Background and Mandate The CEC SMOC Working Group established a tri-national polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) team to identify opportunities for collaboration in managing this group of substances in North America with the objective to reduce environmental and health risks.

3 PBDE Team Objectives To develop a strategy that identifies potential risk reduction activities and recommend a work plan to implement them. To share information on PBDE potential hazards, and routes and magnitude of exposures. To identify activities that will reduce the risks presented by PBDEs. To increase interest, engagement and participation of stakeholders in PBDE risk-reduction activities.

4 Group members Each country designated representatives and one alternate to be on the PBDE team. The members work collaboratively to carry out the activities of the working plan.

5 Activities timeline PBDE content in children’s blood from four metropolitan areas of Mexico (El Refugio, SLP; San Juan Tilapa, Edo MEX; Ciudad Juárez, CHIH; Tlachaloya, Edo MEX PBDE diagnosis in Mexico PBDE content in plastics and polymers of electronic products Characterization of PBDE content in end-of-life products in two typical landfills in Mexico Characterization of PBDE and BFR in landfill leacheates and biosolids of North America Identification of PBDE and BFR used in SMEs in Mexico Analysis of available techniques and environmental practices for the management in recycling and waste management streams 2012 Identification and priorization of PBDE and BFR alternatives in Mexico PBDE working group creation in the CEC Information exchange among the three countries (US, CAN, MEX) Development of a PBDE Matrix of Current Status In the three countries (US, CAN, MEX)

6 Relevant activities

PBDE Mexican Inventory –Development of the diagnosis of consumption, use, disposal and release of PBDEs in Mexican market and environment, particularly for the commercial mixtures of Penta, Octa and Deca BDEs, either in its pure form or contained in imported, exported and manufactured products and formulations.

PBDEs flow in landfills –Identify the PBDEs containing materials that are included in the wastes taken at two typical landfills in Mexico (Tlalnepantla and Bordo Poniente). PBDEs in blood –Analyze the concentration of PBDEs in blood of children from exposed populations in three locations of Mexico. –Sampling in the communities of Milpillas, El Refugio (S.L.P.); Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua); San Juan Tilapa, Tlachaloya (Estado de México). –Propose potential routes of exposure to PBDEs to support the development of needs assessment.

Identification of BFRs used in SME’s in Mexico –Identify the contribution of BFR´s used in SME´s in Mexico and the action lines to risk reduction strategies. –Describe the environmental and socio-economic implication for the use of BFRs and alternatives to them. BFRs in landfill leachate and biosolids in North America –Identify the contribution of brominated flame retardants in landfills and biosolids from Mexican landfills as well as capacity building for analysis. –Field visits to two landfills in Mexico to sample leachates and biosolids for subsequent analysis. –Technical training of Mexican researchers for preparation, extraction of samples and analysis samples. Available techniques and environmental practices for the management of waste streams with BFRs –Identify known approaches to the management in recycling and waste management streams of plastic products containing brominated flame retardants, including, incineration, land-fill management, and recycling and/or separation.

10 Next steps (2012) Identification and prioritization of alternatives to PBDEs/ BFRs, with characterization of risks and costs in specific applications in Mexico Second phase of the characterization of PBDEs/BFRs in landfill leachate and biosolids. Focus on capacity building for analysis in Mexico.

11 Path forward Knowledge increased on presence and releases of PBDEs in North America. Continue assessment on PBDEs/other BFR releases to environment. Trinateral cooperation to identify approaches for risk reduction in North America. Knowledge increased on alternatives.

12 Transparency and public access to information Developing a fact sheet with information on BFRs used in Mexico.

13 More information available Commission for Environmental Cooperation – US Environmental Protection Agency – Environment Canada – Instituto Nacional de Ecología –

14 Thank you! Merci! ¡Gracias! Three countries. One environment.