Document VJ1boE0mN249RXRqgk27OoBVp

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE ORGANISATION MONOIALE OS LA SANTC BUREAU REGIONAL DE L'EUROPE BCEMHFHAJt OFrAHHJAUHR SAFAIOOXPAHENHA EBPOIIEftCKOE PEfHOHAJILHOE BIOPO Markina Orour on Hazards to Health ftnA Kcolorclcai Effects of V*Ciis in the KftvlroTwont fkniaeels. 3-7 December 170 3X00(2) ,jg December 1973 Bomunr REPORT 1, {Introduction , The Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization, in collaboration with the Government of Belgium, and under the project "Hazards to Health and Ecological Effects of Persistant Gubatonces in the Qivirorwent", which forme part of the long-term progranene In environmental pollution oentrol, convened a working group in Brussels from 3 to 7 December 1973 to discuss PCBs (polychlori nated biphenyls) In the environment. Professor 3. Halter welcomed the participants on behalf of the Government of Belglua. fir V* Xrlohagln addressed the meeting on behalf of Dr Leo A. Kaprlo, Regional Director of WHO. 8* Topics dlacuaacd The scope and purpose of the working group was to make a critical review of available informa tion on long-term health hazards and ecological effects of PCBs In the environment and to discuss analytical problems in connexion with tho detection and quantification of PCBs in environmental and biological samples. . Furthermore, the group was to consider the need for continuous attention to be given to FCQo in view of the steps already agreed on to reduce their use and, finally it wbb to discuss possible problems In connexion with substances like PCTs (polychlorinated tars) that are used or are being considered for use to replace PCBs. , Before the meeting, working papers doaling with analytical human health and ecological aspects of FC8 contamination had been prepared and distributed to the participants for review and conmentn. 3. Conclusions >.l New analytical techniques, especially those Involving capillary coluans, acem to offer possi bilities for ooporatlon. Identification and quantification of individual chlorobiphenyls, and these may greatly Increase the possibilities of understanding the medical and ecological effects of PCD. 3? The intorprotation of results of toxicity studies la complicated by the possible contamination f PCD mlxturos with toxic Impurities. Estimation of #.r> Acceptable Dully Intake (ADI) tor use is not possible at this time since the composition of different FCB compounds present In food differs fTom that of tlu> commercial rcD mixtures used In animal experiments. 3*3 lho information at present available on levels in different parts of the biosphere Is not frequent and reliable enough to support any firm mass-balance or tranoport-rate calculation or assessment of large-scale ecological Impact, or to provide a good bools for future trend analysis. Much more data are undoubtedly needed. A. ItacfgrrKnrtntlona Bearing in mind the moat disturbing gape in existing knowledge on this subject, tho .group adopted a >-*rleo of opecific roacaroh rececmentUtiono that will appear in the final report In eonnexion with tho ofcsptc-ra to which tlicy relate. , M0N5 043180 who 3109(2) p** a , . . Zn Additi.on, sane gmcrnZ roconnendatloni Mro doptd. - A.l After examination of the data now available concerning Health and environmental effects of K9k| their high persistence and their present widespread distribution in ths biosphere, the working group eoncludcd and strongly rocownended tliat, firstly, ths use of PCBs should be limited to the fev critical tppllcatlcns for which no wubstltuteo aro presently available and in which highly efficient containment end rocovery ore possible* secondly, that safe substitutes for these and other uses be developed. Zn pursuit of the latter objective, the substitution of another toxic and perelstcnt agent for an existing one can only result In further harm. Accordingly, adequate jre-testlng le Imperative. A.2 the group agreed that as a first step towards achieving this purpose, uses of PCBs that lead to environmental contamination should be avoided along the lines of the decisions and reconeendstlons adopted by the 0BCI)1. Thus provisions should bo extended to all countries and further steps should bo taken. Member States should ensure -that. In their respective territories, polychlorinated biphenyls (ra) will not bo used for Industrial or eooaercial purposes, except In the following categories of user dielectric fluids for transformers or large power factor correction capacitors* - hast transfer fluids (other than In installations for the processing of foods, drugs, feeds and veterinary products); - hydraulic fluids in mining equipment; - small capacitors: and aa far aa tho above categories are concerned, PCBs may be used only In those applications In whlah the requirements for non-lnflutmnahlllty outweigh the need for environmental protection and regarding which Member Status are satisfied that sufficient ontrola are exercised In order to minimito risk to the environment. A.3 Substitutes should bo sought and carefully studied In advance of their uoc,for possible toxi cological effects on human health and the environment. Substitutes already in uso should be examined for their adequacy and safety and should be withdrawn if necessary. The concept of pro testing should be applied to all new chemicals developed for widespread uso. A.A Analytical todnlquca should be developed .to ensure the detectability, at levels causing nonadmlssiblo hurmlul effects, of any teclajical chemical which con accumulate in biological samples. *NS 043lai 1 Adopted by the Council of tho Orflonloatlon for Economic Co-opcratlon and Dcvcloment (OECD) 31`jth Mooting, 13 Kebruury 1973