EPA Press Release
Washington, D.C.
Dec. 19, 2005
Legislation to Reduce Global Persistent Organic
Pollutants Receives Praise
Potential for improving the health of our national and global
environment took a significant step forward with the introduction
of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to allow the
United States to join three international environmental agreements
to address persistent organic pollutants (POPs), some of the most
toxic and highly persistent substances found in various parts
of the world.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today commended Rep.
Paul Gillmor, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee
on Environment and Hazardous Materials, for submitting legislation
that would allow the United States to join the Stockholm Convention
on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the Rotterdam Convention
on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals
and Pesticides in International Trade, and the POPs Protocol to
the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollutants. This
legislation, coupled with recently introduced Agriculture Committee
bills, fills the gaps necessary in domestic law for the United
States to fulfill the terms of these international agreements.
"As our science expands, so does our understanding that certain
pollutants know no political boundaries," said EPA Administrator
Stephen L. Johnson. "Implementing these important global
environmental agreements is a priority for President Bush and
EPA, and I appreciate Chairman Gillmor's leadership in moving
them forward. The United States has already taken extensive steps
to address these environmental threats, and through these agreements,
we can further protect the health, not only of our fellow Americans,
but of all those who share our planet."
Due to their unique characteristics, POPs, which include substances
such as DDT, PCBs and dioxins, are chemicals of both local and
global concern. POPs are toxic, persist in the environment for
long periods of time, and accumulate as they move up the food
chain.
The United States has worked closely with other partner countries
to reach a broad consensus on these ambitious pollution-reducing
plans. The agreements will have wide-standing environmental and
health benefits, illustrating America's leading role to reduce
or eliminate certain POPs and their releases on a global basis.
The Stockholm Convention is intended to eliminate or restrict
the production, use and/or release of 12 chemicals that, due to
their persistence in the environment, can affect human health
throughout the globe, regardless of the location of their use.
The convention obligates all participating countries to take measures
to eliminate or restrict the production, use and trade of intentionally
produced POPs; to develop action plans to address the release
of byproduct POPs, such as using best available techniques to
reduce missions of POPs from new sources; and to address the safe
handling and disposal of POPs stockpiles and wastes. The Stockholm
Convention also includes a science-based procedure for the international
community to add new chemicals in the future.
The LRTAP POPs Protocol is a regional agreement that contains
obligations similar to the POPs Convention related to eliminating
or restricting the production, use, and/or release of the same
12 chemicals covered by the POPs Convention and four additional
chemicals.
The Rotterdam PIC Convention was developed to promote informed
risk-based decision making in the trade of hazardous chemicals
and pesticides. It requires participating countries to exchange
health and safety information and communicate important regulatory
decisions. This information will enable importing countries to
make informed choices about importation of hazardous chemicals
into their country and helps each country ensure that exports
comply with their import decisions. The Rotterdam Convention also
establishes an international information system that empowers
governments and citizens to reach their own risk-based decisions
relating to public health and the environment.
More information on these three agreements is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/international/pops.htm
