Monitoring , Assessment and Management of Persistant Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Monitoring , Assessment and Management of Persistant Organic Pollutants (POPs)

 Team Members: Dr. Mahmood A. Khwaja

Advancing Sound Chemical Management for Sustainable Development and a Toxic Free Asia

Sound management of chemicals is essential if we are to achieve sustainable development, including the eradication of poverty and disease, the improvement of human health and the environment, and the elevation and maintenance of the standard of living in countries at all levels of development. In Asia, one of the most immediate problems facing many governments is chemical management. More than 50,000 chemical substances with one million combinations are being used daily in agricultural, industrial and household activities. However, guidance for any chemicals consuming sector for managing chemicals and chemicals containing wastes is not readily available. In addition, environmental regulatory compliance and enforcement continue to be a major problem too. Hence, hazardous releases and wastes cause immediate short-term public health problems as well as long-term environmental pollution. SDPI research, training/capacity building and advocacy/networking aims to look at the prospects and problems of sound chemical management (SCM) in Pakistan and countries of the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on the following:

Mainstreaming SCM in the country development plan
Good governance and strengthening capacities for SCM
Mitigating risk to environment, human health, specially children and workers
Best available technologies (BAT) and best environmental practices (BEP)
Waste and obsolete chemicals management
Chemicals’ hotspots and remediation of chemically polluted sites
Education and awareness raising and role of stakeholders
SCM in changing climate

Chemicals of priority interest for joint/collaborative activities are Mercury Hg), Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Heavy Metals (Lead & Cadmium)