UNIDO and Chemicals
POPs enabling activities projects
Persistent Toxic Substances(PTS)
UNIDO and Chemicals:
Chemicals and chemicals management have been important topics for UNIDO technical cooperation since the organization was formed in 1967. Initially, Chemicals Industries Branch provided pectoral support to developing countries seeking to build indigenous chemicals industry capacity. After the Bhopal accident in 1984 the focus of technical cooperation activities shifted towards chemicals safety and occupational safety elements, which were included in all programmes. In 1992, UNIDO began to work as one of four implementing agencies of the Montreal Protocol Multilateral Fund, to help developing and other countries phase out their industrial use of ozone-depleting substances. In February 1998 UNIDO was restructured with many of the IOMC-related activities incorporated into the mandate of the newly formed Cleaner Production and Environmental Management Branch. A branch dedicated to Montreal Protocol activities was also formed at this time.
With regard to Chemicals Management UNIDO is involved in:
- Transferring technology, skills and knowledge to introduce or enhance the sound management of chemicals and biological
- Promoting safety, health and environmental protection
- Supporting the development and implementation of Intergovernmental agreements
- Supporting regional efforts to research, evaluate and introduce environmentally sound chemicals and formulations in place of more harmful preparations
Success Stories
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Persistent Toxic Substances(PTS):
There are many persistent toxic chemicals, some with the potential to bioaccumulate in living organisms. While some be eventually added to the list of POPs, others continue to be used and are found in everyday products. These pose a real ongoing threat to human health and the environment and form the chemical legacy and burden that we pass onto future generations.
Through a global project focusing on a Regional Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances, 28 priority persistent toxic substances(PTS) were identified , however these included the POPs chemicals as well.
UNIDO has focussed on the assessment and phaseout of persistent toxic substances such as the perfluorochemicals like perfluorooctanyl sulphonate(PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acids(PFOA) as well as the brominated flame retardents(BFRs). BFRs are incorporated into plastics, forms and components of electrical and electronic goods which often endup being incinerated at the end of their use life resulting in the production of brominated dioxins and furans.
Other PTS of concern include:
- alkylphenols, used in industrial detergents, textile and leather treatments, water based paints and in some personal care products
- Phthalate ersters used as softners in PVC products such as toys and flooring as well as personal products like cosmetics and perfumes
- Organotin compounds used as stabilizers in plastics and as a common treatment against dust mites and mould in carpets, mattresses and PVC floorings
- Lindane still used in some countries as a treatment for mites and headlice
- Atrazine, a herbicide particularly used in forestry
- Endosulphan used as a general insecticide in crops like cotton
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- Establishment of a network of over 30 National Cleaner Production Centres and a supporting dedicated website
- Introduction of cleaner production methodologies, environmentally sound technologies, environmental management and accounting systems to industry in developing and transition economy countries
- Development of policies and transfer of methodologies and technologies for the monitoring, treatment, recycling, and disposal of toxic and hazardous wastes
- Establishment of ecotoxicology centres
- Establishment of and support for a regional network on safe pesticide production and information for 17 countries of the Asia and Pacific region (RENPAP)
- Support for over 40 developing and transition economy countries with their GEF-financed enabling activities to prepare National Implementation Plans for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
- Evaluation and promotion of Best Available Techniques and Best Environmental Practices and alternative materials thereby removing barriers to meeting convention obligations
- Removal of 24,500 tonnes of ODS during 10 years of implementing Montreal Protocol objectives
- Introduction of technologies and methodologies to prevent environmental release of toxic chemicals from various industry sectors such as textiles, leather tanning, small-scale mining
- Evaluation and introduction of arsenic removal technologies for households and communities in South and South-east Asia
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