m exico’s past success: chlordane, ddt and pcbs

MMEXICO’S PAST SUCCESS: CHLORDANE, EXICO’S PAST SUCCESS: CHLORDANE, DDT AND PCBsDDT AND PCBs

DIRECTORATE OF RESEARCH ON CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES AND ECOTOXICOLOGICAL RISKS

INE-SEMARNATMario Yarto-Ramírez; José Castro-Díaz; Arturo Gavilán-García

229th ACS National MeetingMarch 15th, 2005

CONTENTCONTENT

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY

RESULTS FROM IMPLEMENTATIONRESULTS FROM IMPLEMENTATION

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

I

IIIII

IV

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONI


A well-known group of toxic chemicals are classified as persistent A well-known group of toxic chemicals are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). organic pollutants (POPs).

Their properties include:Their properties include:• high toxicityhigh toxicity•persistence in the environmentpersistence in the environment•long-range transport in the atmospherelong-range transport in the atmosphere•accumulation in fatty tissue. accumulation in fatty tissue.

Direct contact with POPs can result in acute effects; accidents with Direct contact with POPs can result in acute effects; accidents with POPs used as pesticides or as raw materials for industrial POPs used as pesticides or as raw materials for industrial processes have killed workers or made them seriously ill after processes have killed workers or made them seriously ill after different kinds of exposure. different kinds of exposure.


North American Free Trade North American Free Trade Agreement, 1994Agreement, 1994

(NAFTA)(NAFTA)

Canada, Mexico & The Canada, Mexico & The United StatesUnited States

North American Agreement on North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC)Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC)

Commission for Environmental Cooperation Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CCA)(CCA)

Sound Management of Chemicals Initiative Sound Management of Chemicals Initiative (SMOC), 1995(SMOC), 1995

Task ForcesTask Forces

North American Regional Action Plans North American Regional Action Plans (NARAPs)(NARAPs)

DDT; Chlordane; PCBs; Mercury; Dioxins, DDT; Chlordane; PCBs; Mercury; Dioxins, Furans & Hexachlorobenzene; Monitoring & Furans & Hexachlorobenzene; Monitoring &

AssessmentAssessment

Task Forces for each NARAPTask Forces for each NARAP Government, Industry, Academy & NGOsGovernment, Industry, Academy & NGOs

Monitoring & Assessment (CENICA)Monitoring & Assessment (CENICA)


The SMOC project of the CEC was created as an ongoing The SMOC project of the CEC was created as an ongoing initiative to reduce the risks of toxic substances to human initiative to reduce the risks of toxic substances to human health and the environment in North America. The project health and the environment in North America. The project provides a forum for: provides a forum for:

a)a) identifying priority chemical pollution issues of regional identifying priority chemical pollution issues of regional concernconcern

b)b) developing of NARAPs to address these priority issuesdeveloping of NARAPs to address these priority issuesc)c) overseeing the implementation of approved NARAPsoverseeing the implementation of approved NARAPsd)d) facilitating and encouraging capacity building & to facilitating and encouraging capacity building & to

facilitate cooperation on tri-national agreements and facilitate cooperation on tri-national agreements and actions for reducing chemical pollution in North actions for reducing chemical pollution in North America.America.

UNEP Substances Included in NARAPs

AldrinChlordaneDieldrinDDTEndrinHeptachlorHexachlorobenzeneMirexToxafenPolychlorinated BiphenylsDioxins & Furans

ChlordanePolychlorinated BiphenylsDDTMercuryDioxins & FuransHexachlorobenzene

PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)


METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGYII


• Resolution 95-05 of the NAAEC calls for the development of Resolution 95-05 of the NAAEC calls for the development of NARAPs for selected persistent and toxic substance. NARAPs for selected persistent and toxic substance.

• Each Action Plan is unique and do reflect the differentiated Each Action Plan is unique and do reflect the differentiated responsibilities of each of the countries, consistent with their responsibilities of each of the countries, consistent with their respective production, use, and disposal practices for the respective production, use, and disposal practices for the particular substance.particular substance.

• The Working Group delegates a temporary Task Force for The Working Group delegates a temporary Task Force for implementation: government, industry, environment, and implementation: government, industry, environment, and academia. academia.

• Once the NARAP is approved by the Task Force, it is Once the NARAP is approved by the Task Force, it is forwarded to the SMOC and when approved and by the CEC forwarded to the SMOC and when approved and by the CEC Council, the SMOC Working Group typically forms an Council, the SMOC Working Group typically forms an Implementation Task Force (ITF). Implementation Task Force (ITF).


• Once the ITF is formed, it will develop an Implementation Work Once the ITF is formed, it will develop an Implementation Work Plan, in which it will set priorities for implementation of actions, Plan, in which it will set priorities for implementation of actions, estimate costs of implementing the actions, develop a schedule estimate costs of implementing the actions, develop a schedule and determine roles and responsibilities.and determine roles and responsibilities.

• Delegates of the Parties to the Task Force are responsible for Delegates of the Parties to the Task Force are responsible for conveying the Implementation Plan and tracking conveying the Implementation Plan and tracking implementation of actions domestically. In case of Chlordane, implementation of actions domestically. In case of Chlordane, DDT and PCBs, Mexico developed several actions to DDT and PCBs, Mexico developed several actions to accomplish with the respective NARAP.accomplish with the respective NARAP.

RESULTS FROM RESULTS FROM IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION

III


III

ChlordaneChlordane

Chlordane was originally introduced in Chlordane was originally introduced in Mexico for extensive use in agriculture. In Mexico for extensive use in agriculture. In recent years, however, use of this recent years, however, use of this pesticide has been limited to termite pesticide has been limited to termite control in certain wood products.control in certain wood products.

In 1997, a NARAP was developed as a In 1997, a NARAP was developed as a basis for coordinated regional action to basis for coordinated regional action to eliminate the use of chlordane in Canada, eliminate the use of chlordane in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Mexico, and the United States.


III

In 1970, chlordane was used for pest management in corn and In 1970, chlordane was used for pest management in corn and sorghum.sorghum.

In 1988, its uses were restricted to termite control in urban areas.In 1988, its uses were restricted to termite control in urban areas. From 1992 to 1996, From 1992 to 1996, 212.8 tonnes212.8 tonnes of chlordane were imported into of chlordane were imported into

Mexico, imported from the US as a technical product.Mexico, imported from the US as a technical product. There is little data available on the amplitude of contamination or There is little data available on the amplitude of contamination or

on the degree of human or biotic exposure to chlordane.on the degree of human or biotic exposure to chlordane.


III

In 1996, communication with In 1996, communication with CICOPLAFEST was established to CICOPLAFEST was established to determine status and steps to be taken.determine status and steps to be taken.

In 1996, contact with the importing and In 1996, contact with the importing and formulating company, with a view to formulating company, with a view to arranging for the suspension of imports arranging for the suspension of imports and cancellation of the product’s and cancellation of the product’s registration once the remaining stocks registration once the remaining stocks were used up.were used up.

Two pest controllers´ associations Two pest controllers´ associations were contacted in order to get more were contacted in order to get more information about chlordane generation, information about chlordane generation, uses and management.uses and management.

A list of researchers working in Mexico A list of researchers working in Mexico on topics related to termites and their on topics related to termites and their control was compiled.control was compiled.


III

In 1996, the pamphlet “In 1996, the pamphlet “Todo lo que usted debe saber sobre el Todo lo que usted debe saber sobre el chlordano y su situación en America del Nortechlordano y su situación en America del Norte” was published.” was published.

In 1997, a workshop on pesticides for termite control was held.In 1997, a workshop on pesticides for termite control was held.

Alternative termite control methods and possible substitutes for Alternative termite control methods and possible substitutes for chlordane were evaluated: physical barriers, predators, rotation, chlordane were evaluated: physical barriers, predators, rotation, magnets, Breaking up mounds and queen removal.magnets, Breaking up mounds and queen removal.

Use of chlordane in Mexico is currently illegal. Use of chlordane in Mexico is currently illegal.

Its phase-out is now complete, as the only Its phase-out is now complete, as the only company holding a chlordane active ingredient company holding a chlordane active ingredient registration stopped importing it in 1997 and had registration stopped importing it in 1997 and had no stocks by 1999. no stocks by 1999.


III

DDTDDT

DDT was introduced in Mexico in the early 1950s for its use in DDT was introduced in Mexico in the early 1950s for its use in agriculture. agriculture.

In the 1970s, DDT use in agriculture production began to decline as In the 1970s, DDT use in agriculture production began to decline as result of environmental concerns and the introduction of stricter limits result of environmental concerns and the introduction of stricter limits on foods.on foods.

By 1997, DDT was registered in Mexico only for use in government-By 1997, DDT was registered in Mexico only for use in government-sponsored public health campaigns against malaria transmission & sponsored public health campaigns against malaria transmission & was restricted to selective applications in dwellings. was restricted to selective applications in dwellings.

There was only one private company producing DDT in Mexico, and its There was only one private company producing DDT in Mexico, and its production was subject to government approval. production was subject to government approval.


III

In the 1940s and 1950s, malaria was one of the main causes of In the 1940s and 1950s, malaria was one of the main causes of mortality, responsible for an average of 24,000 deaths annually and mortality, responsible for an average of 24,000 deaths annually and afflicting an estimated 2.4 million others. afflicting an estimated 2.4 million others.

In recent years, the incidences of malaria have declined to less than In recent years, the incidences of malaria have declined to less than 5,000 cases. Since 1982 there have been no deaths from malaria.5,000 cases. Since 1982 there have been no deaths from malaria.

The reduction programme included:The reduction programme included: community participation in the environmental management of community participation in the environmental management of mosquitoesmosquitoesthe use of bacilli and nematodes to control the insectsthe use of bacilli and nematodes to control the insectsimproving the Mexican Health Secretariat’s surveillance, improving the Mexican Health Secretariat’s surveillance, diagnosis and treatment system. diagnosis and treatment system.

Through the NARAP, Mexico had committed to a declination on DDT Through the NARAP, Mexico had committed to a declination on DDT production to 600 tonnes by 1999 and finally stopping its use by 2002. production to 600 tonnes by 1999 and finally stopping its use by 2002.


III

Year

Ton

nes


III

Sonora

Sinaloa

Comarca lagunera

North of Tamaulipas

Tierra caliente

El Soconusco

Use of DDT until 1999


III

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Most of the PCBs present in Mexico were manufactured in The U.S., Europe and Japan, and were being imported by Mexico even during the 1980s.

It is estimated that Mexico imported about 13,000 metric tonnes of liquid PCBs.

Although they are no longer manufactured in North America, and their use is highly restricted in Canada, Mexico and the United States, large quantities of PCBs are still in use in electrical equipment.


III

Since 1994, six companies were authorized for PCBs destruction via incineration and five were still authorized by the end of 2000. Nowadays, 22 companies are authorized for treatment of oil/materials polluted with PCBs.

8569 tonnes of PCBs were authorized for exportation and incineration by the second semester of year 2000, but only 6,909 tonnes were sent to the Netherlands (48%), Finland (29%) and in small percentage to France, England & Spain.

Almost 500 tonnes of PCBs were exported to the U.S. until 1997.


III

3000 tonnes of the PCBs exported were property of “3000 tonnes of the PCBs exported were property of “Luz y Fuerza Luz y Fuerza del Centrodel Centro”, “”, “Petróleos MexicanosPetróleos Mexicanos” & “” & “Comisión Federal de Comisión Federal de ElectricidadElectricidad” all of them companies that belong to the Mexican ” all of them companies that belong to the Mexican Government. Government.

Almost Almost 300 tonnes300 tonnes of PCBs were treated in Mexico. of PCBs were treated in Mexico.

In December, 2001 a Mexican regulation for PCBs management In December, 2001 a Mexican regulation for PCBs management ““NOM-133-ECOL-2000NOM-133-ECOL-2000”” was published. It establishes that PCB was published. It establishes that PCB materials have to be disposed of, as maximum, in a period of nine materials have to be disposed of, as maximum, in a period of nine months after being stored as hazardous wastes.months after being stored as hazardous wastes.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONSIV

As a result of NARAP activities, chlordane and DDT are not As a result of NARAP activities, chlordane and DDT are not longer used or manufactured in Canada, Mexico or the United longer used or manufactured in Canada, Mexico or the United States.States.

PCBs wastes are currently being disposed according to specific PCBs wastes are currently being disposed according to specific regulations and will be substituted in the remaining electric regulations and will be substituted in the remaining electric equipment for safer substances.equipment for safer substances.

Mexico’s institutional capacities for monitoring and analyzing Mexico’s institutional capacities for monitoring and analyzing chemicals in the environment have been strengthened in terms chemicals in the environment have been strengthened in terms of information systems and actions to reduce the risks of toxic of information systems and actions to reduce the risks of toxic substances. substances.

The design and implementation of a chlordane and DDT The design and implementation of a chlordane and DDT sampling and analysis plan for Mexico is included under the sampling and analysis plan for Mexico is included under the Regional Action Plan on Monitoring and Assessment, currently Regional Action Plan on Monitoring and Assessment, currently under development. under development.


This experience has demonstrated the great benefits of regional This experience has demonstrated the great benefits of regional cooperation when priority is given to the management and cooperation when priority is given to the management and control of toxic substances of mutual concern. control of toxic substances of mutual concern.

Mexico has eliminated chlordane and DDT use completely. Mexico has eliminated chlordane and DDT use completely.

Current field studies at selected sites in Mexico are being Current field studies at selected sites in Mexico are being coordinated by INE. These studies are geared towards coordinated by INE. These studies are geared towards measuring a number of POPs including chlordane, DDT and measuring a number of POPs including chlordane, DDT and PCBs.PCBs.

Furthermore, and in compliance with international initiatives Furthermore, and in compliance with international initiatives such as the Basel and Stockholm Conventions, Mexico has had such as the Basel and Stockholm Conventions, Mexico has had the opportunity to take advantage of this regional cooperation the opportunity to take advantage of this regional cooperation and share the experience and expertise gained.and share the experience and expertise gained.


Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

[email protected]@ine.gob.mx

m exico’s past success: chlordane, ddt and pcbs

Documents

implementation plan

implementation task

implementation work

temporary task force

smoc project

chemical substances

narap government

working group