The Links: Persistent Organic Pollutants and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Room 3
13:15- 14:45, Tuesday 5 May 2015
Joint side event of UNEP Chemicals DTIE and the BRS secretariat in cooperation with WHO PHE
Supported by the Government of Norway
Background: An endocrine disruptor is an exogenous substance or mixture that alters function(s) of the endocrine system and
consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny or (sub)populations. Environmental exposure
to EDCs could come from industrial chemicals, agricultural products (pesticides), and from consumer products. Adverse effects
of EDCs have been shown in both humans and wildlife (Source: International Programme on Chemical Safety, 2002).
SAICM recognizes the need to improve risk-reduction measures to prevent the adverse effects of chemicals on the health of
vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, fertile populations, the elderly, the poor, and workers, as well as on
susceptible environments.
The International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) at its third session in September 2012 agreed that EDCs met
the criteria as an emerging policy issue, and adopted a resolution that calls for cooperative action to provide up-to-date
information and scientific expert advice to relevant stakeholders, raise awareness and facilitate science-based information
exchange, provide international support for activities, and facilitate mutual support in research and translation of research
results into control actions. The ICCM 3 Resolution also calls upon the participating organizations of the Inter-Organization
Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) to develop a plan of work for the cooperative actions on EDCs.
In 2012, UNEP and WHO, in collaboration with a working group of international experts, reviewed and updated the
information contained in the Global assessment of the State-of-the-science of endocrine disruptors (IPCS, 2002), which
resulted in the publication of State of the Science of endocrine disrupting chemicals − 2012 (UNEP/WHO, 2013).UNEP
Governing Council in February 2013 welcomed the 2012 WHO-UNEP report and the ICCM 3 resolution and further called on
the UNEP Executive Director to support efforts on EDC.
It is recognized in the 2012 WHO-UNEP EDC report that there remain data gaps and areas where significant work is required,
and there is need to improve knowledge in the area of EDCs. There is however overall agreement and recognition for further
action on EDCs from all stakeholders.
The POPs Review Committee (RC) of the Stockholm Convention reviews chemicals proposed for listing in Annex A, B and/or C
to the Convention. Endocrine disruption could be one of the evidence of adverse effects to human health or to the
environment that justifies consideration of the chemical within the scope of the convention; or toxicity or ecotoxicity data that
indicate the potential for damage to human health or to the environment. Based on the WHO/IPCS 2002 definition of EDCs,
many of the POPs currently listed in the Stockholm Convention are EDCs. Some of the chemicals under consideration by the
POPs Review Committee also are reported to be potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (i.e., those chemicals that have
potential to interact with the body’s hormone system(s), but the adversity of such interaction is yet to be studied or
recognized).
The Nordic Council of Ministers in 2014 published a report “The Cost of Inaction – A Socioeconomic analysis of costs linked to
effects of endocrine disrupting substances on male reproductive health”. The purpose of the report is to estimate the costs for
society related to negative effects on human male reproductive health suspected to be linked to exposure to endocrine
disruptors. The report provides an outline of strength of the evidence of a link between negative effects on male reproductive
health and endocrine disrupting substances; overall model for estimating the costs of endocrine disruptors; estimations of
costs and incidences related to effects on human male reproductive health induced by endocrine disruptors are presented and
the overall cost estimates along with a sensitivity analysis of these estimates.
This side event is being co-organized by UNEP Chemicals as part of its commitment to ICCM 3 which is to increase awareness
on EDCs, and the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions in cooperation with WHO.
Objectives:
1. Disseminate information on EDCs from the “2012 UNEP-WHO State of the Science of endocrine disrupting chemicals ,
the “Cost of Inaction” report by the Nordic Council of Ministers, and the press release on the “Economic Costs of
EDCs in the EU” by the Endocrine Society.
2. Increase awareness on the endocrine disruption of chemicals currently listed in the Stockholm Convention or under
consideration by the POPs Review Committee.
PROGRAMME
Introductory Remarks:
 Welcome and updates from UNEP – Elizabeth Mrema, Director, Division of Environmental Law and Conventions, UNEP
 Update from WHO – Maria Neira, Director, PHE WHO
 Remarks on relevance of EDCs to the Stockholm Convention and POPRC – Estefania Moreira, Chair, POPRC
Presentations:
 UNEP-WHO State of the Science of endocrine disrupting chemicals , 2012 – Åke Bergman, Chair, Swetox
 “The Cost of Inaction: A Socioeconomic analysis of costs linked to effects of endocrine disrupting substances on male
reproductive health”; “Estimated Costs of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Exposure Exceed €150 Billion Annually in
EU” – Ing-Marie Olsson Ressner, Swedish Chemical Agency
Questions & answers about the presentations
Panel Discussion:
“Links between POPs and EDCs”
Panels
Ms. Noluzuko Gwayi
Senior Policy Analyst: Chemicals and Waste Cooperation
Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA)
Pretoria, South Africa
Ms. Rikke Donchil Holmberg
Senior Advisor
Environmental Protection Agency
Chemicals Department
Copenhagen, Danemark
Mr. Joseph DiGangi
Senior Science and Technical Advisor
International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN)
Berkeley, United States of America
Mr. Bernhard Johnen
Emeritus Director of International Regulatory Policy, Crop Protection
CropLife International
Brussels, Belgium
Ms. Estefania Moreira
Professor
Department of Physiological Sciences
State University of Londrina (UEL)
Brazil
Moderators:
Desiree Montecillo-Narvaez, UNEP Chemicals
Kei Ohno Woodall, BRS Secretariat