Toxic compounds

1989/04/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena

It seems that this problem can be solved at the United Nations headquarters from 13 to 17 February. It brought together representatives from 28 developed and semi-developed countries, representatives from the chemical industry in Europe, Japan and the United States, non-governmental environmental associations such as Greenpeace, the Council for the Defense of Natural Resources and the International Organization of Consumer Associations.

The aim of this meeting was to implement a new international trading system of potentially toxic chemicals. The system name is Prior Informed{ (PIC). The PIC system is based on the prohibition of using a chemical compound in the country of origin or the limitation of its use, without it being exported without the written and explicit authorization of the receiving country.

So far, leading producers of chemicals and pesticides have resisted the implementation of PIC systems. In the opinion of the representatives of these countries, international transport would be avoided and the risk of drowning with bureaucracy would be borne.

The consensus on the PIC system was not reached at a single meeting, but was the result of meetings. The first took place in Dakar from 19 to 23 September 1988. There were twenty participants and the developed and semi-developed nations were in the same proportion.

The second step was reached at the meeting held in Geneva on 2-3 November 1988. A small group of experts worked there. The experts belonged to developed and semi-developed countries, non-governmental environmental communities, the United Nations Environment Programme and FAO.

Among the points taken into account at the New York meeting is the proposal to place a “red flag” on chemicals. The red flag of a chemical must be prohibited or restricted in 10 locations. With the products with red flag would be prepared a list that would be distributed to all interested. Currently it is estimated that in this list there can be between 50 and 100 products, mainly pesticides. A protocol for listing new products should also be established.

We hope that the PIC system will advance the elimination of toxic chemicals.