Document mpyeBy4jd3Z27k9oV62zKpEkB

WOULD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTC BUREAU REGIONAL DE L'EUROFE BCEMHPKAA OPTAHHJAUMS 3J5PABOOXPAHE H HA EBPOflEftCKOE PEniOllAJlbHOE KIOTO Working Group on Hasards to Health jywl Ecological Effects of l*CBs In the Environment ftmsaels. *3-7 December 1973 gfflg 5109(2) 1$ December SUMMARY REPORT 2* Introduction , Ifco Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organisation, In collaboration with the Government of Belgium, ond under the project "Hasards to Health and Ecological Effects of Persistent Substances In the Environment", whloh forms part of the long-term programme in environmental pollution control, convened a working group In Brussels from 3 to 7 December 197!? to dlecusB PCBs (polychlori nated blphenylo) In tho environment. Professor S. Halter welcomed the participants on behalf of the Government of Belgium. Dr V. Krlohagln addrossed the mooting cm behalf of Dr Leo A. Kaprlo, Regional Director of WHO. 2, Topics dlocusncd . Bw scope ond purr* of the working group waa to make a critical review of available Informa tion on long-term health hazards and ecological effects of PCBs In tho environment end to du.cuna analytical problems in connexion with tho detootion and quantification of PCBs in environmental and biological samples. . Furthermore, the group waa to consider the need for continuous attention to be given to pens in view of the stops already agreed on to reduce their use and, finally it was 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 tho meeting, working papers dealing with analytical human health and ecological aspects Of PCB oontamlnalion had been prepared and distributed to the participants for roview and coifEnenta. Conclusions J,1 New analytical techniques, especially those Involving capillary columns, stem to offer possi bilities for separation, identification and quantification of Individual chlcroblphcnyls, arid these may greatly incrcaeo the possibilities of understanding the medical and ecological effects of POL 5.P Tho interpretation of renults of toxicity studios jc complicated by tho possible contamination of PCB mixtures with toxic impurities. Estimation of an Accept*.tK Dully Intake (ADif) ior use is not possible at this time- since the composition of different PCD compounds present in food differs from tliat of tho commercial PCD mixtures usod In animal experiments. J.J The Information ot present available on levels in different parts of tl>e bloupherc is not frequent and reliable enough to support nny firm mass-balance or transport-rate calculation or auQoa&met.t of lnrge-oculo ecological impact, or to provide a good hauls for future trend analysis. Much more data nro undoubtedly needed. A* Rocemrw ridatlonu Bearing In ntnd the most disturbing gaps in existing knowledge on this subject, tho group adopted a : "rles of specific vcseurch rccoratendatlann that will appeur in the final report in connexion with the diopters to which they relate. . MONS 039607 Kimo 5109(2) m* 2 In addition, aoma general raconacndatlons wero adooted, .t 4.1 After examination of the data now available concerning health and environmental effects of PCBa, their high persistence and their present widespread distribution In the biosphere, the working group concluded and strongly recommended t>t, firstly, the use of PCBs should be limited to the few orltlcal applications for whioh no substitutes are presently available* ar.d in wMcH highly effiolent containment and rocovery arc possible; secondly, that cafe substitutes for these and othor uaes be developed. In pursuit of the latter objective, the substitution of another toxic and poraistent agent for on existing one can only result in further harm. Accordingly, adequate pre-testing le Imperative. A.2 The group agreed that ae a first atop towards achieving this purpose, uses of PCOa that lead to environmental contamination should be avoided along the lines of the decisions and reeormwndationa adopted by the OEClA. These provisions should bo extended to all countries and further atepo should be taken. Member States should ensure that. In their respective territories, polychlorinated biphenyls (TOto) will not be used for industrial or coranorcial purposes, except in the following categories of uooi dielectric fluids for transformers or large power factor correction capacitors; - heat transfer fluids (other than in installations for the processing of foods, drugs, feeda and veterinary products); - ftydraulic fluids in mining equipment; ' - small cspacitoroi and as far aa the above categories are concerned, rc&s may be used only in those applications In willeh the requirement* for non-inflammability outweigh the need for environmental protection and regarding which Member Statue are ootiofied that inefficient controls ore exercloed in order to mlnlmlso risk to the environment. A.> Substitutes should be nought and carefully studied in advance of their use, for possible toxi cological effects on human health and the environment. Substitutes already In use should be examined for Choir adequacy and safety and should be withdrawn if necessary. The concept of pro testing should bo applied to all now chemicals developed for widespread uso. A.* Analytical techniques should bo developed .to emuro the detectability, at levels causing nonadiniaslblo humful effects, of any tecliqlrxl cu'awlual which can accumulate in biological samples. HONS 039606 Adopted by tho Council of tlws Organisation for Moonomic Co-operation and IXfvelopmcnt (OECD) 3U>th meeting, 12 February 1972