Supporting the Global Monitoring Plan
on Persistent Organic Pollutants in
Pacific Islands Region
MARSHALL ISLANDS
NATIONAL REPORT
Project GFL 4A37
1
FUNDING FOR SUPPORTING THE GMP PACIFIC REGIONAL PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANT (POPs) MONITORING ACTIVITIES FOR THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS MARCH–DECEMBER 2010 Background The objective of the Global Monitoring Plan as stated in the Project Document (GMP) focused initially on the core media mothers’ milk/human blood to examine human exposure, and ambient air to examine long‐range transport. COP3 Decision SC‐3/16 invited the Global Environment Facility to incorporate activities related to the GMP and capacity‐building in developing countries, small island developing states and countries with economies in transition as priorities for providing financial support. Needs for POPs analysis arise from these obligations of Parties when implementing the Stockholm Convention. As Parties to the Convention, Pacific Island countries are eligible for application of GEF funds to strengthen the monitoring capacity at national level and so to contribute with national data to the GMP. Status of Implementation­RMI The overall status of implementation of the project, despite RMI coming on board much later in the project has been satisfactory. During the Regional Capacity Building Workshop on fostering the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention in early April 2009 in Fiji, Marshall Islands was among the PICs that requested funding assistance to participate fully in the POPs Global Monitoring Projects being initiated and plan for by UNEP/GEF with technical assistances of University of the South Pacific (USP). In October 2009, during the OEWG Meeting on POPs GMP Awareness Workshop, Majuro January 28, 2010 Mercury in Bangkok, the RMI’s Project was re‐
instated again with a small fund provided by UNEP Chemicals Branch in Geneva through the University of the South Pacific (USP). Contact Persons are Dr. Heidi Fiedler, UNEP and Mr. Waisea Votadroka, USP. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Institute of Applied Science, University of the South Pacific (USP) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Environmental Protection Authority (RMIEPA) was signed on February 10, 2010 and March 15, 2010 respectively by both parties after the Inception and Training Workshop conducted in Majuro on January 28, 2010 by Mr. Waisea Votadroka of USP, Fiji National Report, Marshall Islands 2
A summary table has been updated with a status column on each of the activities as listed in the work plan in the agreed MOU with USP. There was much interest and cooperation amongst the key organizations and ministries that were involved during the National Awareness Workshop held in Majuro in January 2010. The workshop was able to cover background into the project, overall POPs awareness and objectives of the GMP and training on collecting samples both air and mothers’ milk. Equipment was brought in with Mr. Votadroka from USP for installation and demonstration purposes during the workshop in January 2010. The main obstacles encountered were in ensuring all documentation for samples via airmail, and sampling bottles given by USP were not enough to meet our sampling targets of 20 samples. Status of Deliverables – Schedule 1 Overview on Planned Regional Activities of the Project Annex 6: Overview on Planned Time­table for Tasks for Regional Countries Activity Country/Actors Date Obj./Remarks Status ­RMI Set‐up management structure for project Organization of sub‐regional workshop prepare a detailed work plan for project implementation UNEP UNEP/USP 21‐23 Sept. 2009 At the same workshop develop protocols and manuals for sampling and analysis of the core matrices Assignment of responsible staff for air monitoring, mother’s milk monitoring and POPs analysis UNEP, USP, all countries 21‐23 Sept. 2009 Agreements made between SSC‐USP (1/2009) and CB‐
USP (8/2009) Sub‐regional inception WS, review of inventories, introduction to methodologies, agree on work‐
plan, timetable Present: FIJ, KIR, NIU, WSM, SLB, TUV, IVM, SSC, DGEF, SPREP Draft SOPs for air and milk sampling discussed and agreed FIJ KIR NIU WSM SLB TUV MAR (Marshall Islands) January 28, 2010 The National POPs Coordinating Committee and the National POPs Focal Point created and established a taskforce or small group of members within the NCC to carry out the tasks required for the POPs Global Monitoring Project in the Marshall At the national workshop the following individuals were identified to coordinate/lead sampling activities for the Breast Milk and Air Samplings. For the Breast Milk Sampling: Public Health Division, MOH – National Report, Marshall Islands 3
January 28, 2010 Inspection of POPs laboratory and identification of needs UNEP, IVM, USP 24 Sept. 2009 Islands. The taskforce representatives are from Public Health Department, Ministry of Health, National Weather Station, and RMIEPA. Listed below are the names and departments that they were represented at the Inception Workshop on the POPs Global Monitoring held in Majuro on January 28, 2010 by Mr. Waisea Votodroka of USP. POPs‐NCC: Deborah B. Manase, Focal Point and Chairperson for NCC, and RMIEPA General Manager. Stephen Lepton, National POPs Coordinator, RMIEPA. Roney Arelong, Chief Solid & Hazardous RMIEPA. Cathy Antolok, Chief Nurse, Public Health Dept. MOH. Hillia K. Langrine, Chief Nurse, Public Health Dept. MOH. Mr. Lee Jacklick‐
Weather Services Office, Karness Kusto, Ministry of Resources N Development. Professor deBoer had identified needs for improvements of the Lab, will identify IVM National Report, Marshall Islands Chief Nurses – Cathy Antolok and Hillia K. Langrine with their supporting staff nurses at the public health, Ministry of Health. For the Air Sampling Activities:
National Weather Station staff Mr. Lee Jacklick. Stephen Lepton, RMIEPA, POPs National Coordinator provide coordination for overall activities through the RMIEPA General Manager with the supports of Public Health Chief Nurses and RMI National Weather Station staff. 4
Training of responsible personnel to establish and run the network for air samples and mothers milk sampling FIJ KIR NIU WSM SLB TUV MAR (Marshall Islands) January 28, 2010 Identification of sampling sites including length of sampling periods and frequency (air matrix) MAR (Marshall Islands) January 2010 – April 2011 laboratory personnel to be attached to IAS for training purposes in April 2009. This was in time for the arrival of the first round of air samples RMI – Training was done in conjunction with the National workshop in January 2010. Mr. Waisea Votadroka from USP provided training and equipment for air and milk samples, as well as others important training materials and handouts on the Breast Milk Protocols. Mr. Waisea conducted the training with all assigned members on Breast Milk Sampling survey protocols and methodology as well. At the same time Mr. Votadroka conducted the outfield demonstrations in putting up the air samples at the National Weather Station site on Majuro. He was assisted by Mr. Lee Jacklick of National Weather Station. Names of the Sampling sites Islands that were were identified and identified for the agreed on by the breast milk assigned task team sampling survey as members. listed below: For the Breast Milk Majuro Atoll, Ebeye Sampling sites: Atoll, Ailinglaplap Majuro was given Atoll, Maloelap seven (7) sites or 7 Atoll, Jaluit Atoll, zones. Mili Atoll, Aur Atoll, Ebeye, Kwajalein Ebon Atoll, Namu Atoll was given five Atoll, and Arno (5) sites or 5 zones, Atoll. and for outer islands were Identification of assigned eight (8) sites in Majuro and sampling sites one Ebeye were done sample per island. accordingly to the For the Air on‐going outreach Sampling Survey: clinics and Sampling sites activities being were identified and carried out every agreed on two (2) month in these sites on Majuro sites by Majuro & Atoll. USP office National Report, Marshall Islands 5
Ebeye assigned nurses. Identification of potential donors of mothers’ milk in the Marshall Islands MAR (Marshall Islands) June 2010 ‐ April 2011 This activity was undertaken over the months of June 2010 to April 2011. complex in Delap and Weather Station in Rairok. After initial sites visit to the two sites. It was agreed and confirmed that the site at USP was not secured enough to put up the air sampling devices. Weather station site was the only selected, secured and good location for putting up the air sampling devices at the located site in Rairok, Majuro 070’05”N, 171’23”E. The first patch of the air sample was put up at the weather station on January 28, 2010, while the second patch of air sample was put up again at Weather Services in Majuro on November 16, 2010. At the National There were 20 Workshop the confirmed group agreed to try mothers/donors to obtain 20 milk identified, samples. The Public interviewed, and Health Nurses were filled out and tasked with signed consent identification of forms including new mothers and individual history collection of questionnaire samples during forms. public health clinics, outfield in each zone and in the hospital. National Report, Marshall Islands Collection of national air and mothers’ milk samples and preparation of pools where applicable 6
MAR (Marshall Islands) Exchange of IVM, USP national samples for POPs analysis in developing country lab and mirror analysis in experienced back‐
up lab June 2010 – April 2011 Mothers milk: individual samples sent by all countries to USP; Jan 2010 PAS, Send together to USP, milk and air packed separately. Total of 20 tubes Mothers’ breast milk 7 samples collected on Majuro, 5 from Ebeye, and 8 from other islands, milk samples were collected in total from July 2010 to March 2011 were hand carried to USP on May 21, 2011 Equipments such as Desk Top Computer and a printer and two small iceboxes were purchased out from this project for storage of the collected samples, and the computer is used to keep records and files and also used for reports processing, etc. Travel costs of Chief Nurses and project coordinator were made from the fund for the purposes of collecting samples from outer Islands, and Ebeye. National Report, Marshall Islands The first patch of the air sample was collected on April 12, 2010 and stored at the RMIEPA office while the second patch was collected on November 16, 2010 and stored at the office of the weather station. The two (2) Air samples collected, labeled, packed on February 2011, stored and ready for shipment to USP, in Suva, Fiji. Packed separately with 20 sampling tubes of Breast Milk and shipped together to Nandi, Fiji and was picked up by Professor William from Outrigger Resort Hotel in Coral Coast, Nandi. Evaluation of analytical data and interpretation of results Organization of a workshop to evaluate the project outcomes and communicate the results and lessons learned Final Workshop for Supporting the Global Monitoring Plan of POPs in the Pacific Sub‐ Region, Suva, Fiji at the USP Campus. June 9 – 10, 2011 7
UNEP, USP UNEP, USP Nov. 2010 Marshall Islands was not invited for this workshop conducted in November 2010. Marshall Islands was invited and nominated RMI’s National POPs Coordinator, Stephen Lepton to participate in the UNEP and USP sponsored final workshop. Dr. Heidi Fiedler of UNEP Chemicals Branch in Geneva, and Katarina Magulova of Stockholm Convention were delivering the project updates as well as future plans for POPs Global Monitoring project under the UNEP – GEF funded projects. Overall the 2‐day workshop highlighted the lessons learned and needs from the results of the samples. June 9 ‐10, 2011 National Report, Marshall Islands Marshall Islands was not part of this workshop, however, all POPs Global Monitoring Activities, such as collections of mothers’ milk and air samples were on‐ going and preparation for final shipment to USP, Fiji. The workshop was attended by Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Palau, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Niue. It was discussed in this meeting that this global monitoring project should be on‐going and need to be carried out by all PICs ( Marshall Islands in this case) it’s very necessary and important to incorporate the results into the NIPs updates as priorities of concerns to reduce or eliminate the production and uses of POPs with the additional new POPs. It was also agreed and discussed with Dr. Heidi Fiedler by participated country coordinators that NIPs are required for review at this 8
time and she further commended that UNEP is ready with the $250, 000.00 just to be used for updating and reviewing the POPs National Implementation Plans (NIPs) and recommend that Global Monitoring Project should be included as well in order to incorporate some activities into the NIPs updates on the additional new listed POPs. Development of long term strategies for future contributions to the GMP Diffusion of results MAR (Marshall and strategies Islands) 2012 – 2015 To develop and revise the POPs Awareness Materials and strategies to incorporate the official results into the awareness materials for wider dissemination and raising awareness throughout the Republic of the Marshall Islands. As Marshall Islands has not completed yet the collections and sampling of Fish, Soil, sea‐clam, taro, banana, a recommendation is made to UNEP & USP for RMI to continue the un‐
finish activities on POPs Global Monitoring Project to utilize and use National Report, Marshall Islands Once official results are received these will be included into awareness materials and disseminated throughout the Republic The Breast Milk and Air Samples from RMI are still being analysis in UNEP Laps in Armstam. The unspent of $4, 718.10 plus $5,554.75 still with USP is being requested to be used and utilized for more samplings of Fish, Soil Local Food, and Marine shells and to test for new listed POPs and analysis on the 9
the unspent leftover of funds this year 2012 to complete all needed sampling requirements and testing. More details POPs sampling results and analysis on additional items as listed above. POPs in the Marshall Islands. (Per MOU with USP) NOTE: First payment of $10, 230.35 US from USP was made and received on 06/03/2010 through Incoming Wire‐Advice of Credit at the Bank of Guam, Majuro Branch. The second payment in the amount of $5, 554.75 is still need to be made and payable to RMIEPA by USP in Suva, Fiji. Expenditure Report National Report, Marshall Islands 10
Expenditure Report National scientist for air monitoring National scientist for mothers milk Budget Item Country Coordinators Budget Allocation 3,000.00 3,500.00 3,500.00 Date Num Name Memo Travel to regional workshops
/In country travel National Reports Office supplies Sundry 2,571.00 2,000.00 1,214.00 15,785.00 Exp Bal 0.00 10,230.25 177.00 177.00 10,053.25 (as needed) 06/02/2010 GJ10‐
019 Cust‐U.S.P TO RECORD USP/POPS PROJECT FUND 07/13/2010 1225 TA‐Altina 7DAYS STIPEND NAMU TA#524‐
10 08/10/2010 62462 Majuro Ace Hardware FRIDGE 2 DR.3 CUFT RA315WT/08YWT 639.98 639.98 9,413.27 08/25/2010 GJ10‐
022 Bank of Guam CHECK ORDERS FOR THIS ACCOUNT 172.67 172.67 9,240.60 08/26/2010 2864 Rominia Joribwij DONOR REF#2864 15.00 15.00 9,225.60 08/26/2010 49835 Jonita Elcar DONOR‐REF#49835 15.00 15.00 9,210.60 08/26/2010 24472 Zuway Leban DONOR‐REF#24472 15.00 15.00 9,195.60 01/17/2011 1395 ROSBELLA JENNET 2 CLIENTS‐12345/0065 20.00 20.00 9,175.60 01/17/2011 1390 HEROKKO NEAMON 6 CLIENTS‐AS LISTED 60.00 60.00 9,115.60 01/17/2011 1391 JASON LALIMO 1 CLIENT‐87664 10.00 10.00 9,105.60 01/17/2011 1398 SHRA KEDI 2 CLIENT‐2864/49835 20.00 20.00 9,085.60 01/17/2011 1392 NEIKI ZEPTY REF‐91180 15.00 15.00 9,070.60 01/17/2011 1389 BERTINA CAPELLE REF‐87664 15.00 15.00 9,055.60 National Report, Marshall Islands 11
01/17/2011 1396 ROSELINA EBEL REF‐81755 15.00 15.00 9,040.60 01/17/2011 1394 RIMA JOWA REF‐53354 15.00 15.00 9,025.60 01/17/2011 1393 RIANN TALLDA REF‐40267 15.00 15.00 9,010.60 01/17/2011 1397 SHARLYNN LEBAN REF‐58542 15.00 15.00 8,995.60 01/17/2011 1400 WIJAY HILAI REF‐12345 15.00 15.00 8,980.60 01/17/2011 1399 TANIA HILTON REF‐0065 15.00 15.00 8,965.60 02/24/2011 1451 Air Continental HILLIA & STEPHEN 994.00 994.00 7,971.60 03/16/2011 1470 TA‐Hillia‐8.75 DAYS KWAJALEIN 1,.093.75 1,093.75 6,877.85 03/16/2011 1470 TA‐Hillia DEP.FEE MAJURO 2.00 2.00 6,875.85 03/24/2011 1488 Ana Koliniwai COLLECT MILK 4 PERSON 40.00 40.00 6,835.85 03/24/2011 1492 Lilieta Snoddy REF CODE‐006704 10.00 10.00 6,825.85 03/24/2011 1493 Lyneete Namwe REF CODE‐3871 15.00 15.00 6,810.85 03/24/2011 1489 Buetyna Johnny REF CODE‐006704 15.00 15.00 6,795.85 03/24/2011 1494 Minty Jibbwa REF CODE‐007107 15.00 15.00 6,780.85 03/24/2011 1495 Tanijen Aron REF CODE‐0011608 15.00 15.00 6,765.85 03/24/2011 1490 Donica Iosia REF CODE‐007347 15.00 15.00 6,750.85 03/24/2011 1491 Lee Jacklick AIR SAMPLE COLLECTION 20.00 20.00 6,730.85 09/08/2011 1717 Office Mart NEW DELL COMPUTER SET‐
VOSTRO 230 1,395.00 1,395.00 5,335.85 09/08/2011 1717 Office Mart BROTHER PRINTER ALL IN ONE 245.00 245.00 5,090.85 09/08/2011 1717 Office Mart BROTHER LC61/BLACK 26.30 26.30 5,064.55 09/08/2011 1717 Office Mart BROTHER LC61/MAGENTA,CYAN & YELLOW 37.50 37.50 5,027.05 National Report, Marshall Islands 12
09/08/2011 1717 Office Mart CANON INK PG‐210 BLACK 28.15 28.15 4,998.90 09/08/2011 1717 Office Mart CANON INK CL‐211 COLOR 36.40 36.40 4,962.50 09/08/2011 1717 Office Mart HP #91‐BLACK 55.40 55.40 4,907.10 09/08/2011 1717 Office Mart HP #93‐COLOR 60.00 60.00 4,847.10 09/08/2011 1717 Office Mart EP‐87 BLACK 129.00 129.00 4,718.10 Total 372.75 1,640.00 5,512.15 4,718.10 20.00 400.00 National Report, Marshall Islands 2,266.75 812.65 13
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National Report, Marshall Islands