REPORT O N C E H A REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON CHEICIICAL SAFETY
W O R L D HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN NIEDITERRANEAN REGIONAL CENTRE FOR ENVIRONPIENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES (CEHA) AMWI,\N. .JORDAN
CONTENTS
1. L
INTRODUCTION
.....................................................
*2..... . TECHNICAL PRESEN I A I I O N S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 2.2
.......... ..................... 2
2.3 2.4 2 .3
2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2 . 10 2. 1 I 2.12 2.13
Regional overview of the llse of chemicals and chemical products .................. 2 Managelnent and handling of excess and wasre chemicalb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Persistelit organic pollutants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . Significance and priorities in research and training in chen~ical safety . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Harlnonization of cl~er~lical clirlical case cla~it~ I I L Ii ~ l ~ i d cdata l ~ t cullcction ... and reporting: IPCS INTO?( fi3runats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The development and use of cnu11t1-y profiles on che~nicalsafety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Presellrarion of [lie IPCS I N C H E h l cl'tt'il~nsr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........... 3 .............. 6 Managelllent of cl~emicalemergencies and prevention . . . . . Chemical food additives and Iiu~nanhealth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 H L I I I IIlealth ~ I I 111-otectioni n ay-icult~1r.e. thc rolc of extension services . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Human resources develnpn~ent: trai~iiriyactivities of the IPCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Role of WHO Repr.esel1tatives in initiation of national chemical safety programiiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 . Stl-ategies ful- etfective public education and awareness in chemical safety . . . . . . 8
3.
COUNTRY PRESENT.ATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3.1 3 2 3.3 3.4 35 3.6 3.7 3.8 -3.9
Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..---.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - 9 Islamic R e p ~ ~ b l of i c Iran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 ............................................... . Jordan .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MOI-occu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 .I Pakistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I ............................................................................................. 1 1 S a ~ ~ Arabia di Sudan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Syrian Arab Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . .a ..................................................................................... Tun~s~ 1; 13
4. 5.
CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RECOMMENDATIONS AND P L A N OF ACTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Annexes .............................................................................................................. 1.
15
2. 3. 4.
Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Programme ........................................................................................................ 16 List of Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Group reco~n~nendatio~ls and plans of action ............................................................... 23
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern (EMRO). Alexandria. Egypt and the Regional Centre tbr Environlnental ~editerranean Health Activities (CEHA). Anilnan, Jordan. organized a Regional Workshop on Chemical Safety in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic. from 36 to 30 September 1998. The use of chemicals in the Eastern h,lediterrariean Rezion is ever illcreasing with accumulation of obsolete and unwanted chemicals. especially pesticides. However, knowledge on the exact quantities of the chelnical waste is ~~nkriown. and reniains a pressing challenge. L W O has identitied tlie followin!: as some of tlie main Iiniitations on tlie development of sound ~tianageinent of chemicals i n Member States in tlie Region: a lack of capabilitv atid capacity for effective management of clie~nicalrisks, as a I-esult of a shortage of \veil trained per-so~l~iel and scarcit!. of good clietnical analytical laboratories. amc)ng others inadequate adrliinistrative inti-astructi~re fol- implementirig chenlical safety programmes inadequate lesislative framework alid enti7rcenient of esistiny I-egi~latinns iriadeqlrate infc~rniatiol~ anct disi~osal ot'clieinicalr \ v i t l ~~[rbsecjuent ~?c>llrition ofair. soil arid food ~ o o discharge r cc>ntamiliatio~i inadequate PI-epal-ation and coordination of 1.efe1.1-aI system tbl. cliemical accidents arid emergencies, i~icluding rehabilitation of the environment and tl-eatment cf victims on national or local clie~nicalpsoblelns. a lack of specific 1.esearc11 The focus of \VHO's regional prugralnme on Chemical safety, in 1998- 1999 has been to consolidate tile gains acliieved tioln past biennia. thr-o~rgli iiitensitied training programmes and the provision of settinss for enhanced infor~nation excliaiige. This workshop which was a follow-up to a regional ci>nsultation on tlie safe handling and disposal of pesticides (1-4 September 1996. Cairo. Egypt, 1996) alid a regional workshop on chemical safety (27-30 October 1996, Cairo. Eg\.pt. I996), was, therefore. meant to review tlie current regional situation and strategize for tlie tilture. The overall objective of the workshop was to provide participants with new tools arid skills towards tlie developmellt of reyional/national capacities for chemical risks reditction in tlie Eastern Mediterranean Region, and as well provide a forum for the eschange/review of experiences and sliat-ing of information.
H.E. Dr Mohamed Eyaci Chatty. Minister of Health, Syrian Arab Republic, welcomed the palticipants to the Syrian Arab Republic. atid thanked WHO for holding this workshop in Damascus. He pointed out tlie ilnportance of tlie workshop. especially for the developing countries. given the contintled use of chemicals in agricultu~-e and industry, for which several ,itudies ha\-e proved their. Ilarrntiil carcinogen ei't'ects Re noted that the Ministry of Health in the Syrian Arab Republic, has a national centre for toxicology with scientific and techl~ologicalrelations with some of tlie 11iostilnportant centres abroad. He highlighted the role of the Ministry of Econoiny in the granting of licences for the i~nportationof chelnicals. and the roles played by the Ministry of Agriculture. the blln~stry of Indi~stryand tlie General Dil-ectorate for Custolns.
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Mr S. Atallah. Director of Environmental Health. WHO Regional Ottice for the Eastern Mediterranean (EklRO), welcomed participants on behalf of Dr H. A. Gezairy. WHO Regional Director tbr the Eastern Med~terranean. ln 111smessage, Ur Ciezairy noted that although there are dit'fering environmental health priorities in the countries of the Eastern -Mediterranean Region, chemical safety is always on the priority list. He expressed the hope that the workshop would be able to address the major objectives identified by rhe ~ k g i o ~ Strategy al for Health and Environment adopted by the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in October 1993. These objectives include a review and exchange country experiences in the develop~nentand ilnplemenration of strategies cuncerning the balk use of pesticides and chemicals for all purposes. in all related sectors: the review and assessment of sectoral activities for tlle involve~nelltof chemical safety country protiles; development of elneryellcy preparerlr~essar~clIllitllitSelllc1lL pli~115, I I I C ~ I I ilf S P I - U I I I U ~ ~ U Iof I the reporting of chemical incidents in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and the classification and labelling system for chemicals and PI-odirctsand hiyhlighting the importance of research n~rcltr i i i ~ i i ~ ~ g . The agenda and programme of the workshop are attached as Annexes 1 and 2 respectively Participants and observers nttcndcd t h c workshop from Egypt. Islamic Republic of Iran. Jordan, hlorocco, Pakistan. Saudi Arabia. Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and Tunisia (see Annev 3 for List ot'participants) Dr S. Uluatam. Secretary, Dr Bassam Abu Al-Zahab and blrs Fatima Al-Tawalbeh were elected Cu-Chairman. and Prof Shabbir Hussain Rapporteur.
2.
TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS
2.1
Regionill overview of the rlse of cllerilic:~ls:111(lcl~eolici~l ~~roducts
The main objectives of the Re~iorlal Clieniical Safety Programme centre on awareness, inventory of priority problerns. designation of national focal points, assisting countries in developing national plans of action and the strengthening of poison information and control centres. A regional overview ofthe WHO chemical safety activities during 1997 was given. Particularly stressed was WHO support to countries in the establishment of bodies for coordination. legislation, law enforcement. training of personnel, strengthening chemical analytical facilities. creating good referral systems for chemical accidents and emergencies and establishing or strengthening national chemical safety programmes. Such support is provided through technical consultancies, national training activities, intercountry meetings and cons~~ltations. provision of equipment databases and some fellowships. The status of implementation and developlnent of various chemical safety activities in the countries of the Region was presented. Issues raised during the discussions. quest~ons and colnlnents ~ncluded: follow-up at of other ministries/agencies national level of previous WHOICEHA meetings. involve~nent in attending silch meetings. national focal points, coordinating bodies, role of United Nations
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Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). WHO and national priorities for cheniical safety. strengthenins of analytical facilities, WHO support and training and human resources development. 2.2: nl;~ni~gelnent and Il;il~dliiigo f escess i ~ o d waste chenlicnls
Chemical waste is any liquid, solid, semi-solid or gaseous material which is intended to be discarded Tlie EPX designates as "hazardous waste" any chemical that has one or more of these four characteristics: ignitability. corrosiveness, reactivity or toxicity. These chemical wastes milst be prope1.1~ disposed of through a hazardous waste management proyralnme .4cci11ni1iatiorl ancl storage ot'clienlical waste in the label-aton, requires tlle f~>Iluwing steps: clioo~iny a storage locatton: tillills ,:out a hazardous \vastaye form, selecting and maintaining mate~.ials: sepn~.ating snlve~its: cleactivaring clieniicals. The domestic hazardous wastes. activities are tlie sot~rce of many wastes also, i~lcluding~~ntentially Examples include cleaning agellts. paint. disitittcta~its and air fi-eslleners. Factors wliicli need consideration during tlie transpoltatiori of pesticides inciude tlie suitability oftiie transpnrtitig vehicle and containers. the fbrmulation and type ofthe chemical, and te~nperatur-e Good stor-age practice is essential to pi-utect tlie health and well being of people. help protect against environmerital contamination. and protect the shelf life ~ ~ f t lcliernical. ie Decontanlinatinn of spills in the storage and calibr-ation areas is a high and expired pesticides. priority. In the disposal of empty containers. excess spray sol~rtion the proper methods sf disposal slioulci be followed. 2.3
Persistent 01-g:~nic ~~ollot:rr~ts
The persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are known to persist in tlie environment mucli longer than many other chemicals and to bio-accumi~latethrough the food chain, and consetl~lentlypose a risk to lii~manhealth and environment. So far. 12 conipoirnds have been identified for assessrnent. reduction in use and elimination. Tlie United Nations Environment Progt-anlnle (UNEP) Governing Council Decision No 15/32 of 1995 and the World Health Asse~nblyResoli~tiorlWHA 50.13 of 1997 set the stage for international action against POPs. So far, tlie elimination of POPs is voluntary for countries. However. in 1097 the UNEP Governing Council took the decision (l9113C) to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Conitnittee (TNC) to negotiaie arid establish a global legally binding instnirnent with regard to the 12 POPs. Tlie first meeting of INC took place in Montreal in June 1998, and the next meeting will be in Nairobi in 1999. The I I Ir r POP> in 2000. prucesb o f ~ ~ c g o l i a ~ iL c ~ ~ is c;rpccted to bc ~ o m p i e t c
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The issue of further inclusion of hazardous chemical compounds in the POPs list and actions towards identification and use of alternatives to POPS was presented. and the regional-position on POPs and the regional initiative on POPS, especially on DDT, was discussed in detail. . .
-
,
-
2.4
Sigliific;111ce:~lidpriorities in rese;irch ; ~ l i d tr;lil~iligill cl~ea~icirl safety
The production and usage of che~nicals continue to increase worldwide, both in diversity and in quantity. The pressing need. especially in the developing coilntries, to improve human living standards. speciticallv the alleviation of poverty, tltro~ighincreased agricult~lralyields. cornbating of the Iliyh disease burden through pesticide control of disease vectors and yeneral industrialization for increased productivity, have led to high environmental acci~rnularionof cllemicals. This. in rurn. has resi~lredin high levels of human exposure in Inany parts of the world. with dire health consequences, thereby eroding some of tlie yains made tlirt~ugh tlie use of tliese cllemicals. The lack of an adequately trained critical mass ot'llu~nanresoilrces necessary to undertake a) local research and evaluation of international data pertinent to the development of sound natiorial cheniical risk managenietlt and b) the etfective implementation of' strategies on chemical safety and enforcement of regulations, is seen as a root cause for the existing i~ncontrolled chemical usage and low safeguards on human Iiealth. Some research and training priorities in cllemical safety of relevance to developing countries were disc~~ssed. Given the Iliglt cost of risk assessment resear-ch and human resource development in chemical safety. a conlprellensive evaluation and prioritization of research and training needs. as well as the promotion of regional cooperation as a means of cost-sharing and maximizing the use of limited regional resources was advocated.
2.5
H i ~ r n ~ o n i z i ~ tof ion cheniic;~l cli~lic;ll case dilti~ ilnd iecicielit ci;lt:l collection a n d reporting: IPCS INTOX fornlilts \
tlr t/Cltlt!f ~'/.OtlL'~llh-, ~ ~ C L / / COffjL'Cy ~ I / ~ O , ~ l L ' O / O ~ /F'OI \I, 3Otlltl~ F'~.el~t!!tl~ot~ U?ld T r e ~ z f n /~ t t~ / efr,t ~ ~ r ~ ~ o I) t~ t c~ ro / gt~rtr oitt l)~ 'Ir~n11c~ri e ,S~rfhty(lI)(',S),WHO he~7dqt/orlers
Annual worldwide mortality through exposure to toxic chemicals is high, however, statistical data do not reflect the real incidence. Poisoning is among tlie most important causes of mortality in hospital patients. Each country needs to have an etfective programme for surveillance and prevention of toxic exposures and for responding to poisoning incidents, based on a harmonized registration system. on how to The [PCS INTOX package provides access to evaluated infor~nation prevent, diagnose and treat poisoning, particularly for developing coi~ntries. The WTOX
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package was developed with tlie involvenient of over 100 experts and some 60 centres. use at poison centres and related tinits. and consists of an Essentially. it is designed fc~r information management sotiware system and a CD-ROM with a collection of internationally evali~ated documents on pnisonoi~ssubstances. It contains comprehensive and generically classitied details on chemical and pliarmaceutical substances. and on plant, fungal and animal toxins. .A~rlc>ny tlie Inany ilsefi~lapplications, tlie data can be extensively analyzed for clinical, scientific or administrative purposes. and reports can be generated for any time interval (weekly. ~nontlilyor year-ly). Tlie software system is available in English, French, Portugilese and Spanish. Ttie CD-ROhl incl~rdes the internatiorially peer-reviewed dncir~nents produced by the Project: Poisons Infor~nation Monographs (PIbls). Treatment Guides. Antidote Monographs, and other IPCS pilblicatin~is: Environ~nenralHealth Cr-iter-ia~no~~ograplis. International Chemical Safety Cards, and WHO/FAO Pesticide Data Sheets, as well as CCOHS CHEhllnfo Database records ,A currelit world\~ide list of poison centres (Yellow Tox) and a listing of library Iloldings at centres are also ~nclt~ded, plus a number of IPCS guidance documents on poisons control. I t also contains a database of over 100 000 chemical names and synonyms, and a database on cl~emicalPI-nducts
2.6
T h e develol)lilent :tltcl use of co~rrltt-y~)l.oliles O I I rlie~itir:~l s:~fety
Tlie large cluantities of industrial p~.oduction.use and waste of chemicals pose a serious problem to health and envil-orlment. however, no sector ot'liilman society can develop without cliemicals Therefore. sound Inanagelnent of clie~n~cals is essential. Tlie chemical safety prc~tileis detined as a comprehensive and systematic docu~nentation of the national infrastructure, showing national capabilities and capacities for the managemerit ufchemicals. I t identities existing strengths, gaps and weaknesses, which are essential for filti~re planning. The main contents of a typical protile were disciissed. The key principles involved i n propel- preparation of profile and the main preliniinar-y as well as practical steps for tlie preparation of a profile were explained Tlie three main sections of the UNITAR document that provides a11outline of a protile were briefly introdirced. The 1 expected benetits siicli as integration of scattered information, enhanced national cooperation and coordination. i~iiprovedinfbrmation exchange and tr-anspar-ericy were discussed.
2.7
PI-esent;~tion of the IPCS INCH EN1 ti;~tith;lse
Among tlie recommendations of tlie United Nations Conference on Environ~nent and Development (UNCED) held i n 1992, was that collaboration between UNEP, tlie International Labour Orgariizatiiln (ILO) and WHO in the IPCS slic>uldbe the nucleus for strengthened inter-national cool~eration and tliat an intergc~vernmental~iiechanismfor risk assessment and management c~t'chelnicals should be established. IPCS INC:HbM I S a
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product responding to the need tbr i~~f~>rmation exchange on toxic chemicals and chemical risks. The IPCS cheniical infor~nationproduct -ITJCS INCHEM- consolidates relevant data onchemical information wl~ich are available from international bodies. It is co~nrnercially acailable on cornpact d ~ s c (CD-ROivl) and on the World Wrde Web (WWW), on a siibsc;iption basis Maintenance, updating enliancement and user support of the CD-ROM will be slipported by an annual user sub scrip ti or^. This was set at US$ 500 per annuln for s ~ n ~IJC' l e use. w ~ t h a grad~~ated subscrrpt~ontee troln network versions, depending on the number of terminals Updates of the CD-ROM are issued biannually to s~lbscribers. [PCS INCHEX1 contains the following documents' IPCS Environmental Health Criteria Monographs; IPCS Health and Safety Guides; IPCS International Chemical Safety Cards; WHOIFAO Pesticide Data Sheets; JECFA Monographs; J M P R Evaluations, IPCS Poisons Information \iorioyr'aptls: II'CS / EC .Anridores Series; ILOiCLS Chelnical Database; UNEP-processed OECD SIDS.
of the past two centuries has often cai$ed environmental The rapid indi~strialization contamination far- beyond the confines of the industrial sector Further-. the size and scale of industrial accidents. suck as those at Seveso in Italy arid Bhopal in India have heightened p ~ ~ b lawareness ic of the potential I-isksof st~ch activities to the health of the surrounding populations and to the environment The need for training of people involved in the management ofchemical ernergencres. preventlon, preparedness and response was addressed Curricula for training diiTerent categories of personnel and the public are being prepared by lPCS Cheniical warfare, and the importance of learning from experiences, i e previous chemical accidents, were highlighted
2.9
C11emic;il food i~dditives;111dI I ~ I I I I ; ~ I I l ~ e ; ~ l t l ~
Food chemical additives are defined. in the broad sense. to be incliisive of direct food additives. residues from soivents and processing aids, pesticides, veterinary drugs, ani~nal feed additives, as well as food contact migrants The use of chemical additions to food needs strict regulation and evaluation because of their potential to atfect human health adversely with increasing scientific knowledge and advance h o d analytical techniques, more and more potentially toxrc residilal substances are beilly identitied in food
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The sources and types of food chemicals and the potential fbr adverse human health effects they present were I-eviewed. Also reviewed were the international mechanisms for regulating the use of chemical additives. A brief discirssion of important national considerations for imple~nenting realistic regulatory limits was presented. Concerted and the food industry and the general joint-efforts by government, the scientitic comni~rniry, Ropi~latio~i to ensure minimal exposure from food sources is advocated. Central to these . . efforts are the development of sustainable monitoring systems and public (user) education, as well as good industrial, agl-icultural and food processing and preparation practices Adequate consideration shoi~ld be given to dietary pesticide exposure to neonates and children since they are especially virlnerable
2.10
Hrrni;ln he;llth protection in ; l g ~ ' i c u l t ~ ~trle~ :e role o f ester~sinr~ se~~ices
The Food Quality Protectioll .Act (FQPA) of I990 ( i n the USA) is tlie most significant piece nt' pesticide and f i ~ silfety d legislation to have e t t c t in the USA and the ivorld. The ]nost ilnparta~itchange i l l the FQP.4 is "I-eassessnlentilt' all pesticide tolerances" to ensure that these tzllern~lcesliieet [lie strinye~ittie\\ "renso~lnble certainty O F no harm1' standard which incl~ldes several considel-ations 1
The hazard of individual contamination from pesticides varies with the type of potential exposill-e People who handle pesticides during loading or mixing may hecoine contaminated with the pesticide in its no st dangerous form: the concentrated material. Even for non-users, exposure can occur at Ilo~ne.scllool and work, as consillners of contaminated food. water, and ail-. The improper handling and irse of pesticides is a ~iiajolconstraint to reduced exposure. Audio-visual aids and broc11~11.e~ play an impo~tnnt sole in pesticide Extension. Demonstration f a r ~ n s are also essential tools to trail1 far111el.sin good pest ~nanagenient practice. Extension agents should use farm days and a pioneer fill-mel-in theil- pl-ogl-amrnes. is tlie key to strccessfi~lextension programmes. Constant contact with far~ner-s
2.1 1
H I I U I ;resources ~~ develop~neat:tr;linil~g;rctivities o f the IPCS
An analysis of the current situatiotl indicates the lack of capacity and capabilities in countries, pa1ticulai.1); developing ccli~ntries and tticlse in economic transition. as il major hindrance to the sound nianagemelit of cliernicals. Human resource develop~nentis an of capacity building and the IntergovernlnentaI Fori~m on Chemical Safety i ~ n p o ~ t aaspect nt (IFCS) prornotcs the estilblishnient of educatioll programmes and traininy courses at both national and regional level to create a critical Illass of qilalitied technicians arid administrators for implementing sound management of chemicals.
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The IPCS lias prepared a series of tools, training ~nanuals and course ~naterials to support countries. These include: Basic.concepts of toxicology and tlie use of risk and Ilazard assessment in developing cheinical management and safety at county level; Chemicals inforl-nat~un 1iianagenient; .Poisoning diagnosis. prevention and treatment t i ~ r medical pi-ofessionals and for primary and other health care wol-kers; Analyt~caltox~cologyteclinlq~~es tor laboratoly statt: multi-level course on tlie safe use of pesticiiles: A secondary school textbook on chemical safetv. 2nd Chemical safety training mcxiules. ,
Other training niaterials are under preparation. Activities are directed towards preparing lllacerinls tbr [raining [he trainers National guidance and tr-nining materials 111ay need to be adapted for use in specific cou~itr-ies or regions and tratislated into local languages, for which the collaboration of tile appropriate WHO Regional Otlice is often sought.
2.12
Role of W H O Repl-esent;ltives i l l i~~iti;rtion of nittio~i;~l cIien~ic;~l safety I)rogr;llllllles
The paper was presented in two parts. The first revielved the historical development of international efforts in clielnical safety and PI-esentedbrief sum~nar-ies of areas of responsibility for tlie various United Nations and other international agencies involved in chernicai safety Tlie second part ot'tlie paper was on tlie development ot'tlie national programme on chemical safety in Egypt, inclirding tlie role ot'tlie World Health Organization and the other international agencles in its development. The responsibilities of tlie various national agencies in the programnie were detailed. in-depth. While acknowledging the enormoils headway made at the national level, the author advocated renewediintensified efforts at tinding solutions to existing problems.
2.13
Stri~tegies for effective public edoci~tion ;lad ;Iw;lreness in cl~ell~ical safety
One of the key issues to reducing tlie high environ~nerital accumulation of and human exposure to chemicals/chemical products and the resultant adverse impacts on human health is adequate user/public education and awareness of potential risks and empowerriient to undertake self-generated health and environmentally responsible behaviour While the health sector will have to spearhead etfvrts at public education, an intersectoral approach is needed to etyectively address tlie diversity of causes tbr voluntary and involuntary clie~nicalrisks .A governmental pvlicy for intersectoral action is therefore contlicts. seen as essential to overcome the barriers resulting fro111i1lter-depa1~1~iellta1/agency
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Comprehensive evaluation of needs, at the national level, will be necessary for ett'ective planning arid cost-etfective resource disbursement. This shoi~ld be coupled with dynamic community participation in tlie develop~nentand i~nple~nentation of strategies at the local level.
Egypt faces many challenges to control safe handling of chemicals. Several laws and in Egypt. Principal agencies involved in regulations govern tlie liandling of clle~nicals chemical satktv incll~de the Ministries of Health. Agrictrlture. Indi~st~): and Petroleum. The Egyptian Envil-onrnental .Affairs Agency ( E E A A ) coordinates the national activities to protect the environment ti-0111 unsafe use of cl~eniicnls
Tlie major problems for control of chemicnls in Egypt are inadequate capabilities to assess the potential toxicity and to co~itrol the nat~1i-e arid pi~ritvof imported or doriiesrically prod~rcedcllemicals: handling of cliemicals by inadequately infor-med or trained pel.sonnel. especially operators in s~~iall-scale enterprises; shortage of management skills needed to deal safely with teclinc~lngytransfer. and with the storage. transpc71-tuse or disposal of clieilicals. lack of effective mecliatlisiiis for coordinatin~ tlie \\.ark of tliose responsible for different aspects of chem~cnlsafety, lack of means of col~ing \vitli clie~nicalaccidents. iriclt~ding tlie tl-eatlnent of victims and their subseqi~entrehabilitation; inadequate legal fr-amewol-k ti^ iiianagement of chemicals and for tlie implementation and enforcement of regulations for industrial and consunier hazardous substances: sources and resources to establish properly coordinated lack of reliable infbr-~iiation infrastn~ctirresand control procedures to deal safely with chemicals.
' l
gadtiate s t ~ ~ d e n of t s toxicology, envir-onmental health ~nedicine and occupational liealth and safety are carried out in about 20 universities. Tlie deter~ni~ration ofnrganochloride and organopliosphide residues in a%!-iculturalproducts. as well as potential occurrence of chemical accidents in factories is the responsibility oftlie national chemical safety committee. The committee is also concerned with rile preparation ot'regularions, establish~nent of informatinn centres, collection of information on chemical substance prodi~cedin or imparted into the count~y, planriing for supervision ut' health of persolinel involved with chcrnicnl materials and :;iifety of food, water and air-
A number of courses on poisons and chemical safety for undergraduate and post-
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Tlie Wlinistr-ies of Jihad, Agric~rlture.Industries and Environlnental Protection Organization r e g ~ ~ l athe t e use of chemicals and cliemical products, while the Ministry of Health and Medical Education assist tiom the Iiut-nan health standpoint.
Many yovernlnental agencies have I-esponsibility for different aspects of ctiemical safecy and, prvper legiblation Iiaving been i ~ ~ t r ~ x i ~ ~ rC c> ;e pd ~,~ ~ l > i b1l11 ili~ yI tail1 lir~lc;tiurr~ CC i> clear, while in other areas, there is a n overlap of responsibility or a lack ofclarity as to who is responsible. Sonie of tile agencies that have a role in clleulical safety are blinistl-y of Health, Ministry v f Irirer-ior/Public Secul-ity Dire~tora~e/Civil Del'crrx Dire~turalc, Mir~ihtr y of Industry and Trade. X11inistryof Agriculture. General Cooperation for Environmental Protection Jordan established a Govel-nmental Committee in which concerned governmental agencies and serviccs 'Ire participating to strengthen the nl~tiounlchcmical management system. .\ chemical information centre (CIC) has been established with the support of CEHA and it is the national focal point for cheniical safetv . Tlie centre has since produced Arabic forlns for rcpslting I~aznl-dous chemical and pesticide toxicity cases. There are no specific In\vs or regi~lntic~ns governing che~i~ical substances to assure of Health and the Vlinistry of lnterior their safe handling and use in Jor-dan. The h,,li~iistry (Public Security and Ci\.il Defense Director-ates) are tlie maill governmental institutions A. bye-law prepared responsible for the safe use and handling ot'clienlicals i n the c o u ~ l t ~ y by a group of expelts tiom different agencies and institutions i n Jordan and proposed bv the Ministry of Health for approval coirld be a solution to many ofthe problems faced in Jordan.
The chemical industl-y ~represelits-327'0 o f iridustrial production and 38% of investment goes to this sector. In rtgricultirre, 40% of the working population is employed. There is currently i ~ n r e g ~ ~ l ai~nportation ted and traffic of chemicals. Relevant regulations ofchemicals used i n the country is lacking, the need to be updated. An exhaustive invento~y chemical emergency plan has nor been updated and adequate well trained personnel in chemical safety are insut'ficient. Etfuns are currently under-way to correct the situation. The Ministry of Health initiated, this year, the elaboration of a national protile of chemical safety. The draft of the protile will be discussed and finalized during an i~pcominy workshop. It is expected also to implement a National Register for Chemicals, which will be a database of information on chemicals imported, produced and/or co~n~nercialized in the country. The Minis;ry of Health has a unit, located in tlie Division of Environtnental Health, responsible for the chemical safety programlne. The National lnstiti~te of Hygiene provides analytical support and expertise. The Anti-Poison Centre is specialized i n toxicological aspects and in management of poisoning cases. The Ministry of Environment acts to coordinate between ministries concerned with environmental topics and to enhance legislative and institutional tools related to chemicals, liarmfi~land toxic wastes. Its National Laboratory of Environment assists in chemical investigations regarding water, soil and air
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Page I I
poilutian. Tlie Ministry of Agriculture is in charge of pesticide reg~stration.It irndertakes tield investigations regarding pesticide residues. Tlie hlinistry of Trade and Industw is in charge of standards and of product safety slieets. 'The Emer9encv Department (Ministry of Interior) has the responsibility of kreventive. forecastin2 and corrective activities related to emergency situations and disasters. Ministry of External Trade can provide data on imported chemicals.
The chemical safetv situation of Pakistan Iias tile fc~llowing characteristics Public perception of dangess posed by tlie indiscsi~niliate use ni'clie~nicalsis low No single agent!. is responsible for cheniical safer\( No single consolidated list exist for all chemicals available. Production of chemicals has increased Innre than tive times during last I0 vears,. The inipor-r of agrochemicals lias incl-eased bv nearlv tbur tlmes Otlie~ inipol-ted cl~e~nicals have also increilsed mol-e than tliree times There is no 1ni11t isectosal cnoperatin~l Diffeserit agencies a[-edoilig \vo~-k in their allocated fields. Pakistan started its first pr-oyramme for clielnical snfetv in 1906-C)7.the aim and objectives of wliicii are: national strategy for cllenlical safety, ~latinnalprofile on chemical safety; national registry of toxic and Iiazardous chemical: prevention of poisoning and environmental pollution; national centre for training trainers. Regulatory constl'aints nil use of agroclie~nicals.including pesticides include r.egt~laticlns. PI-oble~iis of concern relate to old and decaying registration and iiiipo~t pesticides, adultel-ation of pesticides and storage and application. It is proposed that the pr.ograrnliie for cliemical safety should be held under a multi sectoral federal secretal-y level (highest adlninistl-ative level not ininisterial level) Administrative Coiincil. which slioi~ldact as the focal point for all aspects of chemical safety at the federal level for coordination of the efforts of Government reg~~latory agencies, professional, industrial and commercial organizations and concerned NGOs. as well as agencies like WHO. ILO, UNDP. UNIDO and other international donor agencies like CIDA, JAICA. GTZ and the World Bank. This corn~nittee would be the administrative body, would scrutinize tlie regillations sirbmitted by the teclinical co~nniittee and would recommend tbr enactment by tlie federal law makers.
The bleteorology nnd Environ~ncntfllProtection Asericy (hIEP.4). \vliicli is the national focal point for IPCS and the Inter~iationalReyster. of Potentiallv Toxic Clle~nicals as the lead agency to Programme. lias been selected by an interagency national co~nmittee draft a country-wide clietiiical :;ubstances prosrnlnine. It coordinates the national Cl~etnicai
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Page 12
Safety programme (CHEhlSAFE). which aims at the preparation of n national integrated plan for safe handling. transport, storage, irse and disposal of chemicals and chemical wastes. Draft regulations were recently prepared and the role of relevant agencies identified: arid Water-, Ministry of lrldi~st~y and Electricity, Ministry.of Health. blinistry of Agr-iculti~re Ministry of Interior (civil defense). Vlinistry ot'Tr.n~ispo~tntio~i. King Abdulaziz City folScience . . - and Technology. bleteurology and Environ~iientalPrvtect~onAgency. As part of national capacity develop~ne~lt, a training coul.se on cltemical safety. disaster management current limiting factor to and preparedness \vas held. cvitli the assistarlce of WHO A ~rlajur, chemical safetv is tlie lack oi-adequate doc~~rnentntlcxi on the types a n d uses c>f clieinicals in tlie country
cl~enlicals.Tlir applicaliur~ul' Fertilizers and pesticides account t'or rilcisr in~poned pesticides is not well controlled. Also, the storage artd transpoltation of ctiemicals is far from being satisfactory. and registration and reporting of che~nical accidents is very poor. o f y r u m ~o~rtaniinatcd thod. hfosr cllernical poisoning is due to cunsumptio~i Paraplienylerlediamine (hair dye) is also responsible for substantial cases of poisoning, suicidal. homicidal and accidental. Tile current estimated luaci of obsolete pesticides is about 1000 tonnes. and is the most challenging issue to the government [nternational assistance has been sought. especiallv that of FAO. A coordination meclianisni is needed tbr etfective implementation of regulatory measirres and sound ~nanayenlentof chemicals. An intersectural task force has been formed to prepare a national che~nicalprofile. The hlinistries of Health, Ministry of .Agrici~lture and National Resoiirces. the Institute of Environmental Studies at University of Khartoirm and NGOs have some contribution to chemical ~nanageinent
Bodies irsing pesticides are: Ministry of Health (vector control - anni~al consi~rnption (pest about 30 tonnes of insecticides and 2 tonnes of molluscicides); Ministry of Agriculti~re control- annual consumption about U$ 1 I nill lion); Ministry ot'Local Administration (control of harmfill insects and rodents- annual consumption about 70 tonnes of insecticides and 75 tonnes of rodenticides); private sector (various purposes- annual qi~antities not legislation concerned with pesticides exists. About 323 tonnes of available). Varioi~s pesticides are earmarked for disposal. Bodies with direct responsibilities are Ministry of Econorny and External Trade (licensing the i~nportntion o f ~ l i e m ~ c a l sMinistry ); of Irldustry (estirnatiny the qi~antities of indilstrial chemicals). Jlinistry of Health (accepting tlie i~nportatiun of chemicals through the Health Directorate in provinces); Ministry of Agricult~lre (accepting the importation of agricultural chemicals; it has a pesticides laborato~y); Ministry of Environment.
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There is a general national plan for disaster preparedness i n Syria This plan contains a chapter on chemical disasters and is u~ider review bv The Prime Minister Future plans on chemical safety include: a ~iationaiprofile on chemical safety, national chemical register, lists for-restricted and banned chemicals, speciticaticlns for labeling, adoption formats of IPCS ainong others. . . *
The government is giving priority to the safe Innnngelnent afcliemicals, many actions have been i~ndertaken to support the sector dealing with chemicals. by elaborating laws concerning tlie riianage~iientot'che~nical wastes and the transport of hazardous ongoing ef'forts a t collecting and coliatirly national data silbstances. There are. additir>nall~. on chemicals. which is c~~rrently fr-agnlented and scattered
4 .
CONCLUSIONS
There is increas~ng use ofclie~ii~cals i n all areas of hi~manactivity i n the Region \vhich presents pote~it~al for adverse inipact on both the en\.ll-on~nent and Iii~nianhealth The various agencies included in the prodi~ct~on and ~itilizationof these chemicals often work in isolation There is. at present. inadeq~~nte technical espe~tise to cai-ry nut required local in-depth evaluation ut'tlie risks posed by these clienlicals. I n order to better- assess tlie importance of to\;icological problems and collect evidence of the impact ofcl~eniicals o r tlie liealtli ot'tlie popi~lntion,data collection and reporting systems should be implementerl Monitoringls~~rveillance and management of pesticides I-equiresspecial attention
programmes must be developed Sustainable monitor-ing/su~veilla~ice Strategies for the sate disposal of obsolete cliem~cals (especially pesticides) are needed.
5.
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S A N D PLAN OF ,ACTION regional and interi~ationalI-eco~ii~iiendations. The pl.ogramine sliould be developed and implemented through a process of co~isensus. which requires the participation of varioi~s stakeholders. including health. agricultul-e. envir-ontnent, civil defense. industry, conimerce. pr-otkssional ~ r ~ n ~ ~ i z a tarid i o nrelevalit s no~iyovcrnl~iental oryanizatic>ris
1. Every country should have a National Progr-a~nnie on Che~~iical Safety, responding to
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Page 14
It is recognized that in some countries such intersectional ~nechanistns have been already established, but recluire strenythening and/or reactivation.
The mechanism of preparing national protiles should be followed as a means to identify the main needs and priorities thr action in the countries.
- .
2.'
hep priority areas for inclusion in a national plan ofnctiorl are
Preparation of national registries, e.y pesticides, Ilaza~.dous chemicals, Preparation ofr~ationai protiles Training and education on ed~icationawareness-raising Disse~iiination of infc~rlnation on cliemicnl risk assessment stl~dies - Access ro exisring darabases Legislation Irnpor-tation. nlani~tjcturi~lg. stor-age. distl-ibution, use rt~lrl disposal of chetnicals - Training and education of pr-ofessionals - Development ofcul-ricula at mid. graduate and post-graduate levels - Continuing editcation for professionals in health and relevant sectors -
-
Prevention and management of toxic exposures
- Preparedness and response to cllemical inciderits -
Strengthening analytical toxicology facilities
- Setting up and networking of poisons or chemical information and management centres - Pro~notion of preventive measures anlong tio~l-healthprofessionals - Promotion of ~nedicalsetvices for dealing with toxic exposures at different levels (primary health care. district health and tertiary care centres, and poison centres) 3 The chemical safety programlnes at cou~ltry and regional levels should be considered as priority programmes and discussed by f i ~ t i ~national re meetings and joint inter~ninisterial meetings, and should be considered as a technical subject for discussion and consideration at a filt~ri-e WHO Regional Committee meeting.
4 To ensure the proper implementation, follow-up and sustainability of national chemical safety activities, all inputs related to chemical safety by the intel-national and intergovernmental agencies, should be notitied and coordinated with I P C S W O headquarters and channelled tliroi~gll the Regional Office.
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Objectives. scope and pirrpose of tlie workshop Regional overview of the use of che~ilicals and clienlical prodilcts Country presentations Etfective pesticide ~nc>nitoring/surveilIarlce and management programmes Persistent organic pollirtants Risk cvaluntion of chemicals
The management and handling of excess and waste cheniicnis The significance and PI-ioritiesiri I-esearchand training in chemical safety Presentation of the IPCS reporting Hat-mol-iization of cllemical data and ~.epr>~ting. format Safety measures a n d l1ealtl1 conccrris i l l t h c sr.o\ving cllenlical industl-ies The developrne~ltand use o f c t ~ u ~ l protiles t~y Presentation of the IPCS INC'HEb1database Management of cliemical emergencies and prevention Chemical food additives and human Iienltli i n a21-iciiltul-etile I-oleof extension services Human liealtli 171-otectinn 011
clie~nical safety
Human I-esvurccsdevelopnle~itarid tile IPCS tdiiing modules on chemical safety Role of WR on initiatinrl of national chemical safety progralnlne safety Strategies for effective pi~blic education and awareness in che~nical Formation and orientatin11of working g~.oups.prepasation of terms of reference t'or working g1.011ps and initiatioil of disc~~ssion Working group discussions Plenary session and discussion of working group reports Formulation of concl~~sions and recom~nendatinns, strategies and plan of action strategies and plan of action Adoption of conclirsions and reco~nmendations.
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08.30 - 09.30 09 30 - 10:30
Registration and Video o n "CEH.A Standard Presentation" Opening cerelnony Welconle Address (EbIROiCEHNHQ) Ylessaye of or address by Dr. H.A. Gezairy, Regional Director, LVHOIE hlRO Inaugi~ralAdclress by H E The Mi~inister ofHealtli. Syrian Arab Republic Election of ofticel-s Group photo Objectives, scope and pirrpose ot the cvorksllop Training and Research Adviser-. Centre for Dr S (Jlui~tnm, E11~il.r)nlnelital Health A c t ~ v ~ t ~(CEHA) es.
1 1 0 0 - 1 1 30
Regio~ial ove~-\,ie\~ of the use of cheniicals and chemical products Ylr S .Atallah. Director Envirclnmental Health Proyramme, E h R O Csitnt~y preset~tations (Egypt. Islamic Repitblic o f ~ r a h , ~ o r d aPlorocco) n, Coiitinitation c>fcoi~iit~y presentatio~~s (Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Si~dan, Syrian Arab Republic) Co~~tinitation of countty presetltations (Tunisia)
I I :30 - 12150
13 20 - 14.10
14:40 - 15:OO
08:;O - 09: 15 09:15 - 10'00
The management and handling of excess and waste chemicals Dr Ibrahim Al Nazer, External Temporary Advisor Persistent organic pollutants Dr H. Rathor. CSVEMRO ,Management of chemical emergencies and prevention Ylr S. Atallah. DEWEMRO Harmonization of clinical case data and incident data collection and reporting: IPCS INTOX formats Dr J . Pronczuk. Medical Otlicer/Toxicologist. Poisoning Prevention arid Treatment, IPCS, WHOIHQ
10.00 - I0 45
I I :00 - I 1.45
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Page 17
Group 1: Etfective pesticide monitorin~surveillance and management programmes Group 11: Risk evaluatii>n of clie~nicals Group Ill: Safety measures and health concerns in the growing cliemical industl-ies.
14 00 - 15130
Groiip presentations
O S 30 - 09. I5
The develop~nentand use of cctitritr~psntiles on clie~nicalsafety Dr H . Ratlior, CSV/EMRO Presentation of the IPCS 1 ~ ~ H ~ ' l l ~ d a t a b a s e Dr I-'roiicz~rk. WHO lieadqitarte~ s Tlie sigtiiticance and priorities in reseal-c11and training in chemical safety Dr S Lil~~ntani. TRAiCEHA and \lr J . E Williams, ,APO/TR/CEHA. Clieniical tbod additives and Iiuman health Dr S Uluata~n.TRXiCEHA and hlr- J . E . Williams. APO/TR/CEHX. Human I~ealtl~ protection in agricitlture: the role of extension services Dr Ibralii~ii$\I Nazel-, External Tenipclrar-y Advisor Hu~nan ~.esources developnletlt train~ni; act~vities oftlie lPCS Dr P1.onczuk. WHO Iieadcluartet s Role of WR on initiation of national chemical safety programme Dr Al Kliawashky, Acting WHO RepresentativeIEyypt
09 15 - 10 00
10.00 - 10:45
1 1 .OO
- 1 1 :45
1 1 45 - 13:.?0
13 00 - 1-3 45 13:45 - 14:30
OS:30 - 09: 15
Strategies for effective public education and awareness in clieniical safety Dr Semra L'luatam, TRAfCEHA For~natioriand orientation of working groups. Preparation of terms of reference tbr working groups and initiation of discussion Working group disci~ssio~ls Workir~g yroup presentations
09: 15 - 10:45 1 1 :00 - 12:45
13.15 15:15
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Page IS
Wednesdi~y, 30 Septen~ber 1998 08.30 - 10 1.5 18:30-- 12100
Plenary session and discussion of working group reports For-mulation of conciirsions and recolnlnendntions Strategies and Plan of Action -iduprion ofcunclusir)ns and reculnmelidario~~s Strategies and Plan of Action
..
12:30 - 13 4.5
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Page I9
ANNEX 3
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
,
Dr Sliermin Samil- .Aboi~Bakr Cliemical Safety Unit Occupational Health Departme~\t Ministry of Health and Population Cairo Clie~nist Solieil- F;lyez Guil-guios Toxicology Depar-t~llent Embaba E~lvironnlelitnl>lonitor Ins Ce'entr-e I , Tayar Fekry Street
Giza
Dr Ali A. Farshad Director General for- Environmental and Occupatioi~alHealth. hlinistry of Healtll and hledical Educatio~i Teheran Dr Omid Sabzeval-i Department of Toxicology X: I~Iia~-nlacolog Faculty of Phai-mac!; Teheran Univei-sity of kledical Sciences Teheran 14 1 551645 I
Mrs Fatilna Al-Tawalbeh Environ~nentalHealth Directorate Ministry of Healtli P.O. Box 56 Amman h4r S a ~ n e Melkawi r Envirot-unental Health Directorate Ministry of Health P. 0 . Box 56 Amman
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Mr blustapha Bennouna Chef de la Division de I'Hygiene du bliliei~ D'ire'ctton et de Liitte . .. de I'Ep~de~niologie contre les Maladies Ministere de la Sante Kabat ,
Prof Shabbir Hussain Prof of hledici~ie Jinnali Posrgt'ndilate hleiiical Celltre Karachi Hashlni National Prosramme Jlanager- ( E H C ) Ministry of Health [slarnabad Kill i l l 1
D I bl. Soltail
SAUDI ARABLA Mr bIoliamed Abdulatif A 1 Thobiti Coordinator Chemical Safety Pro,mmilne Ministrv of Health c/o WR/Saudi Arabia Rivadh hlr Suleiman Ben Vlollalned Al-Zabetl Meteorological and Environrnent Protect~onAyencv Jeddah C/OLWSaudi Arabia Rivadh SUDAN
Mr Abdel Moniem Salle~n Director Environmental Health and Food Control Federal Ministry of Health P. 0. Box 303 Khartoum
WHO-EMI/CEHH/90-E Page 3- 1
klr .Adam .Aii hlolia~ned Chemical Safety Programme Coordinator C/OWR Sudan K hart oil 111 . .
Dr Bassani Abu Al-Zatlab Safety Director of Che~nical Ministry of Health Damascus Eng .Aynlan XI-Kliateeb Permanent Secretar.y of Teclln~cill('oni~ll~ttet: of Pesticides c ~ Health f Rli~iistry Dalnascus
MI- Slaheddine Chilliti Directeur de I'Hysiene du Milieu et de la Protection de I'Envil-on~le~lle~it (DHMPE) Ministere de la Santti Publ~que Tunis Miss Elnna Helmi Inyenieur Cl~iiniste Responsable de la sticurite des Prodi~its Cllimicjiies Direction de I'Hyyikne du Milieu et de la Protection de I'Environnelne~lt Ministere de la Sante Publiclue Tunis OBSERVERS
Mr A. M. Al-Sliahri P. 0. Box 14058 Dammam 3 1424 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Vlr Mazen Khalil blinistry of Health ,2\1nlnnn Jordan
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Dr Ali Attourah Polson Centre Ministry .of Health Syrian Arab Republic 7
-
D; blafina Rithek Poison Centre Wlinisrry ofHeaIcl1 Syrian Arab Repltblic W H O Sec~.et;~l-ii~t
Mr Sadok .Atallah. Director. Entironnlenral Healtll. L\'HO/Regional Oftice f ~ >the r Eastel-11 \lcciitc~1it11cit11. .Alc.x'111~1t iit. Egyp~ Dr bl I .Al-KhawashAy, N W H O Representative. Magless El Sllaab BOY h o 146. Cairo 1 1 5 1 6 Egypt
Dr Se~rira Ul~~atam Training , ,ind Research Adviser, WHO Regional Centre for Enviro~linental,Health .Activities, C'EHA. Atnman. Jordan Dr H Rathor, Regional Adviser, Clieni~calSafety and Vector- Coutrol, EhLRO, Alexandr~a, E ~ ptY Dr J . I'ronczuk. bledical Otticer. Tos~cologist.Poisoning Prevention and Treat~nent.IPCS. Geneva, S~vitzerland Dr Ibralii~nNazer, Esrr1.11al Temporary .Aciviser, Dean, Facl~lty of Agricultt~ralTechnology, Al-Balqa University. Salt. Jordan Mr Jacob E Williams. .Associate Professiollal Ofticel-. WHO Regional Centre f u ~ Environmental, Health Activities. CEHA. A~nman. Jordan WHO/Ei\/LRO. Alexandria,-Egypt Mrs Azza El-Sandoiibi. DEH Secreta~y, Mrs A~nal Samaan, Secretary, WHOIEMRO. Alexandria. Egypt
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\
ANNEX 1
SPECIFIC RECOMiVIENDATIONS OF WORKING CROUPS ~ 1 -
1: bEffective ~ ~ ~pesticide rtlonitoring i ~ n d inir~li~gement programnle
There shoi~ld be natinrlal register. national pt-otile. national progranirne of chemical safety and fir111 laws and regi~latio~is. 2. Proper manage~iientof hazardous cllemicals i.e.. production. import, transport, storage, application. etc 3, Disposal of empty pesticide containers needs attention pollution fr-urn pesticides. e. y. food, water. air and soil 3 . Monitoring environ~nental I-equil-esinvolvilig government. teaching 2nd I-esearch institutiolis ofblood. gtt, breast tnilk i i v residual 17esticides(j>ersister~t or-ganic pollutants 5 . E~,aliiatint~ is needed). 6 . Hoi~seliold/domesticpesticides marketing slinuld be in various sizes (preferably small) \ v ~ t l ilow active ingredient properly labelled (for- application, storage, d~sposal), concentrations awareness o f pirblic fill- safe handling and ~iianageinentof pesticides tliroi~gli 7 I~icrease (NGO:GOVT) sernirlar-s, tilass ~iiedia. educatio~i syste~li. corntntt~iity irlvo/\~etner~t workshops. 8. Elicoirrage integrated pest nianagelnent by coot-dination with agencies (WHOIFAOil!SEI') and expiration should be 9 I n additin11to normal Iabellilig, date ofrnan~~factl~ritig embossed/pl-inted o ~ each i i~idividualpacking of pesticide. 10. X.lonitoring c~t'obsoletepesticides at. 1
-Government stol-eb Health sectc71-Commercial stores .Agricultu~.e sectot- l ~ n p o t ? / ~ i i a ~ i ~ ~ f a c t i ~ r ~ eDefense/i~lterio~ r sector -Farms
Prot'essional assoc~ations
is manageable and could be secured tliroicgh -The cost of the above short term activit~es WHO country allocatiordconcer~ied government activity. - L o n g term activities have to b e written as prol>osal for furldins Fm~n d o n o r ayencies WHO
could help in writing and contacting the donors
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Page 74
Group 11.: Risk e v i ~ l u ; ~ t i o of ~t cl~enlici~ls
The establishment o f a national co~n~nittee to be composed of responsible( agenc,ies/-bodiesinvolved in cliemicals (import. export. production, transportation, storage. app!ieation and disposal) to coord~nate actlvltles, or the acttvatron of existing ones. The c6inmittee shall be tasked with: 1 Analysis of the country sitilation 2 Preparation of a natio~lai/countlyprofile for- cliemical safety 3 Providing suggestioris itnd reco~n~nendations to policy makers in the ti,llo~vingareas, among others:
the establishment of modalities for tlie risk assessment of chenlicals used in the country, i~~cli~c hl~i ~ r; ~~ ~~ e g 1i11 i t .I Ih LIIII~III ICSOIIIst~-e~iyrlielli~lg ~es ( [ l i ~ . ~ isusrairlable ~~li in-service
-
ofcertiticateldegree training tbr all catesories of personnel. a s \veil as. the establisl~~neiit courses) Strengthenins the laws and reg~~lntio~ls on chemical satkty Infrastn~ctural strengthening (e.g chemical information and poison control centre etc.) Develop strategies for public awareness
It is recornlnended tliat WHO. t h l - u t ~ ~ MOH. h propose the establisl~ment of a national committee on chemical sattty involving all role players It is proposed that the hlOH prepare preli~nirlaryorgan~zatiunal framework for tlie said committee
The VOH should provide coordination for convening the initial meetings of the cornrnittee at which the duties ofthe committee will be defined and various responsibilities will be assigned. the necessary legislations should Fullowing tlie detinition of duties of [lie conl~nitree, be sought to provide formal authority for the conimittee's work. The national committee should, subseqi~ently,implement actions to promote chemical safety based on the above-mentioned guidelines and/or their adaptations, as required. This should include. as a matter ofpriority, The assignment of the responsibility for the assessment ofche~nical risks to a competent national instit~ltion ( e . ~a. chemical research institution/ University etc.) The said responsible institution should present its tindirlgs to tlie national committee on chemical safety for follow u p recommendations to government. It should seek to present, both in economic and other terms. the impact of these chemicals, to provide the necessary arguments for advocacy.
WHO-EM/CEH W O O E
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Long-Term Continuous updating of the chemical safety profile
.
Establishment of permanent mechanisms for enhanced information ekchange between agencies both within the country and the region as a whole
.
Tlie national c o ~ n ~ n i t t sliall e e propose to the h4inistry of Education /higher education/rnedicaI education tlie establishment of courses (diplomas, certiticates, degrees) in clie~n~cal (~ncliid~ng occupat~n~ial) safety Establishment of permanent ~neclianismsfor tlie evaluation of training programmes, risk assessment Group I l l . \Vol-ki~~g g1.or11) on h;~t-olonized d:lt;l collectiori
The ivorking group concluded arld recomnlended I . In order to better assess tlie iniporrance of tosicolngical problems and collect tlie evidence of i m p a ~ ~t I ' C ~ I C ~ I I ~ Lo ~i lI tllr ~ S l ~ r n l t of l ~ t h c popillation, data collection and reportiny system sliould be inipleriiented cases silo~rldbe collected at differerit l~ealtl~ levels. 2. Data on cases of toxic espc~sure through the primary Iiealtl~care systems. data collection and reporting a si~nplifiedformat for use at the 3 . In order to liar~nonize PHC and DH Lvorkers level would be i~seful. 4 The data collecred cnuld be cor-related with existing IPCS INTOS format. allowing for international co11ipa1-isnn of data. S. Tlie analysis of data collectecl could be tile basis to assess the clie~nicnlsafety programme foi- that cnuntiy. will serve for planning 6 . Reports prepared oil basis of I~arlnonizeddata collectiori 111-ocess chemical sat'et!., pr-event~nn and toxicnvigilance activities i n countries of EMRO
1.
2. 3. 4. 5.
6.
To complete tlie tbrmat drafted at this meeting and prepare giiidelines, including a strategy for implementation of data collection at country level Identify the responsible professional and organizations for this activity Plan and implement the testing of the format and guidelines at the PHCIDH Finalize the fonnat and yi~idelines according to the results of field testing Organize and inclement the including training of the staff i l l cliarye of data collection, compilation arid analysis. Prepare a plan of action ful- a biennium for case data collection and reporting.