Chemicals Management ForumSan Antonio, Texas May 15-16, 2012

Implementation of Risk Reduction Strategies

PBDE Team

Commission for Environmental Cooperation

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Background and Mandate

• The CEC SMOC Working Group established a tri-national polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) team to identify opportunities for collaboration in managing this group of substances in North America with the objective to reduce environmental and health risks.

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PBDE Team Objectives

• To develop a strategy that identifies potential risk reduction activities and recommend a work plan to implement them.

• To share information on PBDE potential hazards, and routes and magnitude of exposures.

• To identify activities that will reduce the risks presented by PBDEs.

• To increase interest, engagement and participation of stakeholders in PBDE risk-reduction activities.

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Group members

• Each country designated representatives and one alternate to be on the PBDE team.

• The members work collaboratively to carry out the activities of the working plan.

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Activities timeline

2009 2010 2011

PBDE content in

children’s blood from

four metropolitan

areas of Mexico

(El Refugio, SLP; San

Juan Tilapa, Edo

MEX; Ciudad Juárez,

CHIH; Tlachaloya,

Edo MEX

PBDE

diagnosis

in Mexico

PBDE content in

plastics and

polymers of

electronic

products

Characterization of

PBDE content in

end-of-life products

in two typical

landfills in Mexico

Characterization of PBDE and BFR

in landfill leacheates and biosolids

of North America

Identification of PBDE and BFR

used in SMEs in Mexico

Analysis of

available

techniques and

environmental

practices for the

management in

recycling and waste

management

streams

2012

Identification

and

priorization of

PBDE and

BFR

alternatives

in Mexico

200820072006

PBDE

working

group

creation in

the CEC

Information

exchange among

the three

countries (US,

CAN, MEX)

Development of a

PBDE Matrix of

Current Status

In the three

countries (US,

CAN, MEX)

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Relevant activities

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2009

• PBDE Mexican Inventory– Development of the diagnosis of

consumption, use, disposal and release of PBDEs in Mexican market and environment, particularly for the commercial mixtures of Penta, Octa and DecaBDEs, either in its pure form or contained in imported, exported and manufactured products and formulations.

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2010

• PBDEs flow in landfills – Identify the PBDEs containing materials that are included in the wastes

taken at two typical landfills in Mexico (Tlalnepantla and Bordo Poniente).

• PBDEs in blood– Analyze the concentration of PBDEs in blood of children from exposed

populations in three locations of Mexico. – Sampling in the communities of Milpillas, El Refugio (S.L.P.); Ciudad Juarez

(Chihuahua); San Juan Tilapa, Tlachaloya (Estado de México). – Propose potential routes of exposure to PBDEs to support the

development of needs assessment.

El Refugio, Cd. Fernández, San Luis Potosí

San Juan Tilapa, Estado de México

Ciudad Juárez,Chihuahua

Tlachaloya, Estado de México

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2011

• Identification of BFRs used in SME’s in Mexico– Identify the contribution of BFR´s used in SME´s in Mexico and the action

lines to risk reduction strategies.– Describe the environmental and socio-economic implication for the use

of BFRs and alternatives to them.

• BFRs in landfill leachate and biosolids in North America– Identify the contribution of brominated flame retardants in landfills and

biosolids from Mexican landfills as well as capacity building for analysis.– Field visits to two landfills in Mexico to sample leachates and biosolids

for subsequent analysis.– Technical training of Mexican researchers for preparation, extraction of

samples and analysis samples.

• Available techniques and environmental practices for the management of waste streams with BFRs– Identify known approaches to the management in recycling and waste

management streams of plastic products containing brominated flame retardants, including, incineration, land-fill management, and recycling and/or separation.

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Next steps (2012)

• Identification and prioritization of alternatives to PBDEs/ BFRs, with characterization of risks and costs in specific applications in Mexico

• Second phase of the characterization of PBDEs/BFRs in landfill leachate and biosolids. Focus on capacity building for analysis in Mexico.

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Path forward

• Knowledge increased on presence and releases of PBDEs in North America.

• Continue assessment on PBDEs/other BFR releases to environment.

• Trinateral cooperation to identify approaches for risk reduction in North America.

• Knowledge increased on alternatives.

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Transparency and public access to information

• Developing a fact sheet with information on BFRs used in Mexico.

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More information available

• Commission for Environmental Cooperation

– http://www.cec.org/

• US Environmental Protection Agency

– http://www.epa.gov

• Environment Canada

– http://www.ec.gc.ca

• Instituto Nacional de Ecología

– http://www.ine.gob.mx

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Thank you! Merci!

¡Gracias!

Three countries. One environment.