Seventh meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC.7)

Geneva, Switzerland
from 10 to 14 October 2011

The Seventh meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) was held at the Varembé Conference Centre.

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) adopted twelve decisions at its seventh meeting, including one recommending that the chemical hexabromocyclododecane be listed under the Convention. The Committee also decided that chlorinated naphthalenes and hexachlorobutadiene, two chemicals proposed for listing under the convention, met the screening criteria of Annex D of the convention and to prepare draft risk profiles for these chemicals. The Committee agreed to continue its evaluation of a third chemical, pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters. The Committee also concurred to work on a number of other issues during the intersessional period, including the assessment of alternatives to endosulfan, DDT and use of PFOS in open applications, toxic interactions, SCCP, and climate change and POPs.

Highlights

The Committee reviewed five chemicals that have been nominated as substances to be added to the Convention:

  • Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD): The Committee reviewed and adopted the risk management evaluation on HBCD and recommended to the Conference of the Parties that it consider listing the chemical in Annexes A, B and/or C to the Convention. The Committee also decided to collect further information on chemical alternatives to HBCD and on the production and use of HBCD. At its eighth meeting, the Committee will consider whether to specify the annex to the Convention and possible exemptions to be considered by the Conference of the Parties in listing HBCD. The chemical, a flame retardant used mainly in polystyrene, was proposed for listing under the Convention by Norway in 2008. HBCD is also used in textile coatings and in high impact polystyrene for electrical and electronic equipment.
  • Chlorinated naphthalenes (CN): The Committee examined the proposal by the European Union to list CN under the Convention and applied the screening criteria specified in Annex D. It decided that CN, except for monochlorinated naphthalene, met the screening criteria of Annex D of the convention and to prepare a draft risk profile. CN were used for decades for wood preservation, as additive to paints and engine oils, and for cable insulation and in capacitors. Until the 1970s, CN were high volume chemicals.
  • Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD): The Committee also examined the proposal by the European Union to list hexachlorobutadiene under the Convention and decided that it met the screening criteria of Annex D and to prepare a draft risk profile. HCBD was a widely used fumigant used to control pests and as an industrial solvent. HCBD also occurs as a by-product during production of other chlorinated solvents.
  • Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its salts and esters: Concerning the third chemical proposed for listing under the Convention by the European Union, the Committee came to the conclusion that it would defer its consideration until its eighth meeting. An intersessional working group would additionally review studies on the fate and transport of pentachlorophenol and pentachloroanisole. PCP is an organochlorine compound used as a pesticide and a disinfectant.
  • Short-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCP): The Committee agreed to revise the relevant parts of the draft risk profile to incorporate information on toxicological interactions of chlorinated paraffins during the intersessional period, and to compile issues and principles to be applied in the interpretation of the Annex E criteria. SCCP are a group of industrial chemicals used in metalworking, and the formulation and manufacturing of products such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics and metalworking fluids.

The Committee also concurred to assess alternatives to endosulfan, DDT and PFOS in open applications, expanding its work into a new area recently mandated by the Parties to the Convention. The Committee will furthermore continue existing work on guidance on alternatives to PFOS and its derivatives; the work programme on brominated diphenyl ethers and PFOS, its salts and PFOSF; developing a draft approach to consideration of toxicological interactions when evaluating chemicals proposed for listing; and enhancing effective participation in the Committee’s work. Besides, the Committee examined implications of the 2011 study, Climate Change and POPs: Predicting the Impacts and agreed to develop guidance on evaluating how global warming processes affect the fate, transport and toxicity of POPs.

Press releases

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee at its 19th meeting recommends international measures to eliminate hazardous chemicals recommends international measures to eliminate hazardous chemicals

Scientists at the 19th Persistent Organic Pollutant Review Committee (POPRC-19) meeting agreed that two chemicals - medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids - should be considered hazardous and controlled under the Stockholm Convention.

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee at its 19th meeting recommends international measures to eliminate hazardous chemicals recommends international measures to eliminate hazardous chemicals

The Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee at its 19th meeting recommends international measures to eliminate hazardous chemicals recommends international measures to eliminate hazardous chemicals

Scientists at the 19th Persistent Organic Pollutant Review Committee (POPRC-19) meeting agreed that two chemicals should be considered hazardous and controlled under the Stockholm Convention of the United Nations.

In a crucial step in protecting human health and the environment, a Committee of expert scientists gathered at the POPRC-19 meeting in Rome, Italy, to review hazardous chemicals and to decide whether to recommend that they be included in the Stockholm Convention, so countries take measures to eliminate or restrict production and use and manage their wastes.

The family of chemicals known as medium-chain chlorinated paraffins has been recommended to be listed for elimination under the convention. These chemicals are often used in metalworking fluids as lubricants and coolants and can also be used as an additive to make plastic softer. They are also used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, as well as in paints, sealants, and rubber. However, scientists have concluded they pose a significant risk to human health, due to their ability to last over time in the human body without breaking down, leading to severe health conditions including cancer.

Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids have been recommended to be listed for elimination under the convention. These chemicals belong to the family of PFAS, known as ‘forever chemicals’. Owing to their water, stain, and grease-resistant properties, they are commonly used in industrial and consumer products such as in the manufacture of semiconductors, printing inks, paints and coatings, paper and food packaging, waterproof textiles, cleaning products, and firefighting foams.

Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, Rolph Payet, said:

“The outcome of this meeting continues the dynamic science of the Stockholm Convention in identifying and eliminating persistent organic pollutants.

This week builds on the world-leading scientific research that has been carried out under the Stockholm Convention, to protect the environment, biodiversity, and human health.”

The Committee agreed that these chemicals may still be used in specific circumstances. The recommendations for listing including specific exemptions will be considered at the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention, which will take place in 2025.

In addition to these decisions, POPRC-19 adopted the risk profile for the highly toxic pesticide ‘chlorpyrifos’, meaning that the chemical will now be considered for recommendation at the next POPRC meeting. Chlorpyrifos is a highly toxic insecticide widely used in agriculture. It poses significant health risks, is particularly dangerous to children and pregnant women, and has adverse effects on the nervous system.

Over the next year, the Committee will assess information on socio-economic considerations and possible control measures for chlorpyrifos as part of its risk management evaluation and will consider a recommendation for listing.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat) brings together the three leading multilateral environmental agreements that share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.
http://www.brsmeas.org/

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004, is a global treaty requiring its Parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment, to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on human health or on the environment.
http://chm.pops.int/

The 19th meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-19) was chaired by Dr Peter Dawson from New Zealand, and was held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 9 - 13 October 2023.

During this meeting, POPRC-19 recommended the inclusion of two groups of chemicals in Annex A for elimination: chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14–17 and chlorination levels at or exceeding 45 per cent chlorine by weight, commonly referred to as ‘medium-chain chlorinated paraffins’ or MCCPs, and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids, their salts and related compounds.

For information on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention, contact: Kei Ohno Woodall, BRS Secretariat Senior Coordination Officer, kei.ohno@un.org

For media inquiries, contact: Asana Greenstreet, BRS Secretariat Public Information Officer, asana.greenstreet@un.org

POPRC-18 concludes with recommendations to list Dechlorane Plus and UV-328, and news of Italy becoming a Party to the Stockholm Convention

Experts from around the world worked on draft risk profiles and draft risk management evaluations to determine whether to recommend that a series of chemicals fulfil the criteria to be considered Persistent Organic Pollutants under the Stockholm Convention.

POPRC-18 concludes with recommendations to list Dechlorane Plus and UV-328, and news of Italy becoming a Party to the Stockholm Convention

POPRC-18 concludes with recommendations to list Dechlorane Plus and UV-328, and news of Italy becoming a Party to the Stockholm Convention

Experts from around the world worked on draft risk profiles and draft risk management evaluations to determine whether to recommend that a series of chemicals fulfil the criteria to be considered Persistent Organic Pollutants under the Stockholm Convention.

The 18th meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC-18) concluded today in Rome, Italy. Chaired by New Zealand’s Dr Peter Dawson, POPRC-18 was held from 26 to 30 September 2022, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

POPRC’s Committee of 31 experts from around the world meets every year to review chemicals and determine whether to recommend to the Convention’s governing body that the chemicals be listed under Annex A (elimination), B (restriction) or C (unintended release) to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

This time around, POPRC-18 recommended the listing of two industrial chemicals – Dechlorane Plus and UV-328 – under Annex A. A flame retardant and a UV absorbent respectively, both chemicals are heavily used as plastic additives, including for uses that require time to be phased out, such as for motor vehicles, industrial machines and in medical devices. For that reason, the POPRC-18 recommendations included time-limited specific exemptions, which will be considered by the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-11).

In addition, the Committee made recommendations related to the continued need for exemptions with respect to industrial chemicals that are already listed under the Stockholm Convention. The chemicals are decabromodiphenyl ether, short-chain chlorinate paraffins (SCCPs), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride (PFOSF). The recommendations will also be put for consideration at the SC COP-11.

POPRC-18 also adopted two risk profiles for “chlorinated paraffins with carbon chain lengths in the range C14-C17 and chlorination levels at or exceeding 45 per cent chlorine by weight (MCCPs)” and “long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), their salts and related compounds”. MCCPs are used in adhesives, paints, and textiles. Long-chain PFCAs, their salts and compounds, have a wide range of applications, including in carpet protectors and firefighting foams. The PORRC-18 Committee evaluated the chemicals’ persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential for long-range environmental transport, ultimately determining that global action is warranted, as the chemicals generate adverse effects on human health and the environment.

The meeting closed on a high note, with an official communication from the Convention’s depositary that Italy had ratified the Stockholm Convention, thereby becoming its 186th Party. The Convention will enter into force for this newest Party on 28 December 2022.

The 19th POPRC meeting will take place from 9 to 13 October 2023 in Rome where the Committee experts will consider the risk profile of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, among other tasks.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS Secretariat) brings together the three leading multilateral environmental agreements that share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.
 https://www.brsmeas.org/

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants looks to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long-lasting chemicals by restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage.
https://chm.pops.int/

For information on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention, contact: Kei Ohno Woodall, BRS Senior Programme Management Officer, kei.ohno@un.org

For media inquiries, contact: Marisofi Giannouli, BRS Associate Public Information Officer, marisofi.giannouli@un.org

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POPRC.7 Photo Gallery

Photo gallery: Seventh meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC7)
Seventh meeting of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC)
Geneva, Switzerland
10 - 14 October 2011