POPs in environment and human bodies Ivaylo Hlebarov Environmental Association “Za Zemiata” (For the Earth)/CEE Bankwatch Network Bulgaria EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005 Case study about free-chicken eggs contaminated with POPs

Contents What are POPs? Results from testing for toxic chemicals of free-range chicken eggs (hot spot check) Overview on NIP regarding POPs Main concerns for CEE countries EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

What are POPs Hazardous substances produced by human activities Intentionally produced – pesticides, chemicals Unintentionally produced – in chemical processes, combustion processes (waste incineration), others Persistent, bio-accumulative, trans-boundary issue Extremely small concentrations could cause immune disruptions, cancer or other diseases Global threat EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

Why did we do the testing? Local people fighting the NHWC since 2001 Already heavily industrialised and polluted To show real data not estimations To push for transparency and better health care for the local people To support IPEN initiative in regard POPs and Stockholm Convention EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

Location of the spot Eggs collection in January 2005 and analysis in laboratory Preparing the report and presenting it Results How did we make it and what are the results? EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

Results EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005 Measured levels of POPs in eggs collected in Kovachevo near Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) per gram of fat

Results II EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005 Measured levels of POPs in eggs collected in Kovachevo near Stara Zagora (Bulgaria) per gram of fresh weight

Potential sources of pollutants Thermal power plant 4 km away Briquettes factory 15 km away Heating boiler occasionally used to burn old tires Local heating sources Household landfill in Radnevo Abandoned chemical plant – Agrobiochim 60 km away EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

Comparison with other results Results are the second highest among 18 countries – IPEN Data showed Stara Zagora region most polluted EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

Overview of POPs National Implementation Plan Pilot project financed by UNDP – had to end in June 2005 Inventories on pesticides, POPs in emissions, PCBs inventory, action plan etc. Main emitters dioxin/furans – energy production – 49% g/y, PCB – kg/y, HCB – kg/y EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

Overview of NIP II Level of dioxins in breast milk -WHO coordinated exposure study 2003 – 19 countries - 30 women EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

General conclusions in NIP as regard POPs emissions No monitoring system for PCDD/F (in water also), PCB, HCB in air, no laboratory No major changes in emissions - energy production Increased use of coal and wood in households in 2002 lead to increase PCDD/F and PCBs. (14,5 g/y more, 32 kg/y more) The measured levels of chemicals in breast milk are lower than in EU?? EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

Recommendations in NIP Regular inventories Use of BAT in energy, chemical and metallurgic industry Use of BAT in household waste incineration, cement kiln (haz.), no non-combustion alternatives? Use of energy efficiency, natural gas, etc. Conduction of representative analysis of people's health in regard presence and accumulation of PCDD/F and HCB in human body NGO involvement only in information campaigns? EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

Main concerns for CEE countries Potential for increased POPs generation - incineration Old chemical plants – operational and non-operational Obsolete pesticides stockpiles, use of prohibited substances Increased road transport Lack of adequate measurements especially in regard to human health and POPs Political decision - making NGO involvement – lack of it and/or limited capacity, obstructions from the officials EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005

Thank you for your attention Ivaylo Hlebarov CEE Bankwatch Network Coordinator for Bulgaria EA “Za Zemiata” (For the Earth)/CEE Bankwatch Network EPHA Capacity Building Workshop on Environment and Health Sofia, 1-2 December 2005