iical safety - world health organization · chemical. and temperature. good storage practice is...

\VH 0-El\ 1/CE HA/90-E

REPORT ON

CEHA REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON CHE!\IICAL SAFETY

Dam:1scus - Syrian Arab Re1111blic 26-30 Sepremher 1998

\VORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE FOR TIIE EASTERN l\lEDITERRANEAN

REGIONAL CENTRE FOR ENVIRONl\lENTAL HEAL TH ACTIVITIES (CEHA) AMl\lAN •. fOROAN

Septem her 1998

CONTENTS

Page No. 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... l

"2. TECI-INlCAL PRESENTATIONS ............................................................................... 2

2.1 Regional overview of the use of chemicals and chemical products .................. 2 2.2 Management and handling of excess and waste chemicals .............................. 3 2.3 Persistent organic pollutants ........................................................................... 3 2.4 Significance and priorities in research and training in·chemical safety ............ .4 2.5 Harmonization of chemical clinical case data and incident data collection ... .

and reporting: IPCS INTOX fimnats ............................................................... 4 2.6 The development and use of country pro tiles on chemical safety .................... . 5 2.7 Presentation of the IPCS rNCHEM database .................................................. . 5 2.8 Management of chemical emergencies and prevention .................................... . 6 2.9 Chemical food additives and human health ..................................................... . 6 2.10 Human health protection in agriculture: the role of extension services ............ . 7 2.11 Human resources development: training activities of the IPCS ......................... 7 2.12 Role of WHO Representatives in initintion of national chemical satety

progra1n1nes .. ................................................................................................ 8 2.13 Strategies fbr effective public education and awareness in chemical safety .. ... . 8

3.1 Egypt ................................................................................................................ . 9 3.2 Islamic Republic of (ran ................................................................................... . 9 3.3 Jordan .......................................................................................................................................................................... IO 3.4 Morocco ........................................................................................................... 10 3.5 Pakistan ............................................................................................................ 11 3.6 Saudi Arabia ..................................................................................................... 11 3.7 Sudan ............................................................................................................... 12 3 .8 Syrian Arab Republic ....................................................................................... 12 .3.9 Tunisia ............................................................................................................. 13

4. CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................ 13

5. RECOM.l\1ENDATIONS AND PLAN OF ACTION .................................................. 13

Annexes .............................................................................................................................. 15

1. Agenda ....................................................................................................................... 15 2. Program111e ................................................................................................................. 16 3. List ot·Participa11ts .......................................... � .............................................................................................................. 19 4. Group recommendations and plans of action ............................................................... 23

\VHO-EH/CEHN90-E

l. INTRODUCTION

: :Y-he World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern . �1C:diterranean (EivfRO). Alexandria. Egypt and the Regional Centre for Environmental Health Activities (CEHA). Amman. Jordan. organized a Regional \Vorkshop on Chemical Safety in Damascus. Syrian Arab Republic. from 26 to 30 September 1998. The use of chemicals in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is ever increasing with accumulation of obsolete and unwanted chemicals. especially pesticides. However. knowledge on the exact quantities of the chemical waste is unknown. and remains a pressing challenge. \VHO has identified the following as some of the main limitations on the development of sound management of chemicals in Member States in the Region:

• a lack of capability and capacity ti..)r effective management of chemical risks. as a result ofa shortage of well trained personnel and scarcity of good chemical analytical laboratories. among others

• inadequate administrative infrastmcture for implementing chemical safety programmes • inadequate legislative framework and enforcement of existing regulations • inadequate infim1rntion • poor discharge and disposal of chemicals with subsequent pollution of air. soil and food

contamination • inadequate preparation and coordination of retc:rral system for chemical accidents and

emergencies. including rehabilitation of the environment and treatment cf victims • a lack of specific research on national or local chemical problems.

The focus of\VHO's regional programme on Chemical safety. in 1998-1999 has been to consolidate the gains achieved from past biennia. through intensified training programmes and the provision of settings fi.)r enhanced information exchange. This workshop which was a follow-up to a regional consultation on the safe handling and disposal of pesticides ( 1-4 September l 996. Cairo. Egypt. l 996) and a regional workshop on chemical safety (27-30 October 1996, Cairo. Egypt, 1996 ). was. therefore. meant to review the current regional situation and strategize for the tliture. The overall objective of the workshop was to provide participants with new tools and ski\ Is towards the development of regional/national capacities for chemical risks reduction in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. and as well provide a forum for the exchange/review of experiences and sharing of information.

H.E. Dr Mohamed Eyad Chatty. Minister of Health. Syrian Arab Republic. welcomed the participants to the Syrian Arab Republic. and thanked WHO for holding this workshop in Damascus. He pointed out the importance of the workshop. especially for the developing countries. given the continued use of chemicals in agriculture and industry, for which several studies have proved their harmful carcinogen effects. He noted that the Ministry of Health in the Syrian Arab Republic. has a national centre for toxicology with scientific and technological relations with some of the most important centres abroad. He highlighted the role of the Ministry of Economy in the granting oflicences for the importation of chemicals. and the roles played by the Ministry of Agriculture. the Ministry oflndustry and the General Directorate for Customs.

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Mr S . Atallah. Director of Environmental Health. \VHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (E�1RO). welcomed participants on behalf of Dr H. A. Gezairy. \VHO Regional Director for the Eastern !\.1editerranean. In his message. Dr Gezairy noted that although there are differing environmental health priorities in the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. chemical safety is always on the prior ity list. He expressed the hope that the workshop would be able to address the major objectives identified by the Regiorial Strategy for Health and Environment adopted by the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in October 1 993 . These objectives include a review and exchange country experiences in the development and implementat ion of strategies concerning the safe use of pesticides and chemicals for all purposes. in all related sectors: the review and assessment of sectoral activit ies for the involvement of chemical safety country pro tiles; development of emergency preparedness and management p lans; means of promotion of the reporting of chemical incidents in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and the classification and labelling system for chemicals and products and highlighting the importance of research and training.

The agenda and programme of the workshop are attached as Annexes l and 2 respectively. Participants and observers attended the workshop from Egypt. Islamic Republic of l ran. Jordan. 7\lorocco. Pakistan. Saudi Arabia. Sudan. Syrian Arab Republ ic and Tunisia (see Annex 3 for List of participants) .

Dr S . Uluatam. Secretary. Dr Bassam Abu AI-Zahab and i\,lrs Fatima AI-Tawalbeh were elected Co-Chairman. and Prof Shabbir Hussain Rapporteur.

2. TECHNIC.-\ L P R ESENTATIONS

2. 1 Regional oven· iew of the use of rhem icnls and chemic:tl products

!vfr Sadok A ta/la/,, [)irec.:tor ff £11l'irm1111e111al Health, WHO ElvlRO

The main objectives of the Regional Chemical Safety Programme centre on awareness. inventory of priority problems. designation of national focal points. assist ing countries in developing nat ional plans of action and the strengthening of poison information and control centres. A regional overview of the WHO chemical safety activities during 1 997 was given. Particularly stressed was WHO support to countries in the establishment of bodies for coordination. legislat ion, law enforcement, training of personnel. strengthening chemical analytical facilities. creating good referral systems for chemical accidents and emergencies and establishing or strengthening national chemical safety programmes. Such support is provided through technical consultancies. national training activities. intercountry meetings and consultations. provision of equipment databases and some tellowships . The status of implementation and development of various chemical safety activities in the countries of the Region was presented.

Issues raised during the discussions. questions and comments included : follow-up at national level of previous WHO/CE HA meetings. involvement of other ministr ies/agencies in attending such meetings. nat ional focal points. coordinating bodies. role of United Nations

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Institute for Training and Research (UN1T AR). \VHO and national priorities for chemical safety. strengthening o f analytical facil it ies. \VHO support and training and human resources development.

2�z Management and handl ing of excess :rnd w:1ste chemicals

Dr Ibmhim Na:er. £'Cla11a/ Tempora,y Advisl.!r, WHO

Chemical waste is any liquid. solid. semi-solid or gaseous material which i s intended to be d iscarded. The EPA designates as "hazardous waste" any chemical that has one or more of these four characteristics: ignitability, corrosiveness. reactivity or toxicity. These chemical wastes must be properly disposed of through a hazardous waste management programme. Accumulat ion and storage of chemical waste in the laboratory requ ires the following steps: choosing a storage location: tilling out a hazardous wastage t'i.1rm: selecting and maintaining materials: separat ing solvents: deactivating chemicals. The domestic activities are the source of many wastes also, including potentially hazardous wastes. Examples include cleaning agents. paint. disin fectants and air fresheners.

Factors which need considerati on during the transportation of pesticides. include the suitability of the transpo11ing vehicle and containers. the formulation and type of the chemical. and temperature. Good storage practice is essential to protect the health and wel l being of people. help p rotect against environmental contamination. and protect the shelf l ife of the chemical. Decontaminat ion of spills i n the storage and calibration areas is a high priority. In the disposal of empty containers. excess spray solution and expired pesticides. the proper methods of disposal should be followed.

2.3 Persistent orga nic poll11 t.111 ts

Dr H. Ra1/wr. Regional A,f riser, Chemical S,rfery ,,,,d l'ec/or Cm11ml. WH01FJv!RO

The persi stent organic pollutants (POPs) are known to persist in the environment much longer than many other chemicals and to bio-accumulate through the food chain. and consequently p ose a risk to human health and envi ronment. So far. 1 2 compounds have been identified for assessment. reduction in use and elimination.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council Decision No 1 8/32 of I 995 and the World Health Assemb ly Resolution WHA 50. 1 3 of I 997 set the stage for international action against POPs. So far. the elimination of POPs i s voluntary for countries. However. in I ()97 the UNEP Governing Council took the decision ( l 9/13 C) to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (TNC) to negotiate and estab l ish a global legally bind ing instrument with regard to the 12 POPs. The first meeting of INC took place in Montreal in June I 998, and the next meeting will be in Nairobi in 1999. The process of negotiations on POPs is expected to be complete in 2000.

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The issue of further inclusion of hazardous chemical compounds i n the POPs list and actions towards identification and use of alternatives to POPs was presented. and the regional.position on POPs and the regional initiative on POPs. especial ly on D DT, was d iscussed in detail.

2.4 S ignificance :tnd priori t ies in resea rch and tr:t in ing in chem ic:1I safety

Dr Semra ( 1/uatum. li-ai11i11g and Nesean..:I, rl.,f riser, WHO ( '£HA and !vlr .lac:oh William.,·. As.mc:iale / 'rrle!s.,·irma/ ( H/h-1.•r. WHO ( '£HA

The production and usage of chemicals continue to increase worldwide. both in diversity and in quantity. The pressi ng need . especial ly in the developing countries. to improve human liv ing standards. specifically the alleviat ion of poverty. through increased agricu ltural yields. combat ing of the high disease burden through pesticide control of disease vectors and general i ndustrialization for increased productivi ty. have led to high environmental accumulat ion of chemicals. This, in turn. has resulted in high levels of human exposure in many parts of the world. v.-ith dire health i.:onst:quences, thereby erod ing some of t he gains made through the use of these chemicals.

The lack of an adequately trained critical mass of human resources necessary to undertake a) local research and evaluation of internationa l data pert inent to the development of sound national chemica l r isk management and b) the effective im plem entation of strategies on chemical safety and enforcement of regulations, is seen a s a root cause for the existing uncontrol led chemical usage and llnv safoguards on human hea l th.

Some research a nd training priorities in chemical safety of relevan ce to developi ng countries were d iscussed. Given the high cost of risk assessment research and human resource development in chemical safety. a comprehens i ve evaluation and p rioritization of research and training needs. as wel l as the promotion of regiona l cooperation as a means of cost-sharing and maximizing the use of l imited regional resources was advocated.

2.5 Harmoniza t ion of chem ical cl in ic:1 I case dat.1 :1 11d inciden t data collection and report ing: IPCS INTOX fornrnts

Dr Janet Pmnc::uk, A11.!di<.:u/ q[fic.:er To:ric:oloxi.,·t. Po;.wminK Prl.!wntiou and Treatmelll, /lllemational ProKrwnme 011 ( �hemic.:al St!fety (ll'C .�J. WHO headquarters

Annual worldwide mortality through exposure to toxic chemicals is high. however. statistical data do not reflect the real incidence. Poisoning is among the most important causes of mortality i n hospital patients. Each country needs to have an effective programme for surveillance and prevention of toxic exposures and for responding to poisoning i ncidents. based on a harmonized registration system.

The [PCS INTOX package provides access to evaluated information on how to prevent. diagnose and treat poisoning. partii;ularly for develop ing countries. The INTOX

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package was developed with the involvement of over I 00 experts ancf some 60 centres. Essentially. it is designed for use at poison centres and related units. and consists of an information management software system and a CD-ROM with a collection of internationally evaluated documents on poisonous substances. I t contains comprehensive

_ ·and generically classified details on chemical and pharmaceutical substances. and on plant. funga_l and animal toxins. Among the many useful applications. the data can be extensively analyzed for clinical. scientific or administrative purposes. and reports can be generated for any time i nterval (weekly. monthly or yearly). The software system is available i n English. French. Portuguese and S panish.

The CD-RO;i\t includes the international ly peer-reviewed documents produced by the Project: Poisons Information Monographs (P IMs). Treatment Guides. Antidote Monographs. and o ther IPCS publications: Environmental Health Criteria monographs. International Chemical Safety Cards. and WHO/F AO Pesticide Data Sheets. as well as CCOHS CHEMlnfi.1 Database records. A current \vorldwide list of poison centres ( Yel low Tox) and a listing of library ho ldings at centres are also included. plus a number of IPCS guidance documents on poisons control . It also contains a database of over t 00 000 chemical names and synonyms. and a database on chemical products.

2.6 The development and use of country pro files 0 11 chemical safety

Dr H. Rarhor. lfrgional A,b-is1.•r, C ·t,1.•micol .\'(�/i.·1y and r 'ec:lnr ( ·w,1ml, WHOEA4RO

The large quantities of industria I production. use and waste of chemicals pose a serious problem to health and environment. however. no sector of human society can develop without chemicals. Therefi.1re. sound management t1f chemicals is essential.

The chemical safety protile is defined as a comprehensive and systematic documentation of the national infrastnicture. showing national capabilities and capacities for the management of chemicals. It identifies existing strengths, gaps and weaknesses. which are essential for fiiture planning. The main contents of a typical profile were discussed. The key principles involved in proper preparation of profile and the main preliminary as well as practical steps for the preparation of a pro ti le were explained. The three main sections of the UNIT AR document that provides an outline of a profile were briefly introduced. The expected benefits such as integration of scattered information. enhanced national cooperation and coordination. improved information exchange and transparency were discussed.

2.7 Presentation or the J PCS JNCI IEM dat:1h:1se

Dr Janel / 'rom:=nk. Afr.!dic:al {Uftc:a Toxicologisl, /'oi.wmi11g rrr:1 ·e111irm cmd Tn:e1tme111. /l'C ·s. WH< J headq11ar1c:r.,·

Among the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in I CJCJ2, was that collaboration between UNEP. the International Labour Organization ( [LO) and WHO in the (PCS shou ld be the nucleus for strengthened international cooperation and that an intergovernmental mechanism for risk assessment and management of chemicals should be establ ished. IPCS INCHEM is a

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product responding to the need for informat ion exchange on toxic chemicals and chemical risks.

_,The IPCS chemical information product -!PCS INCH EM- consolidates relevant data on ·chemical information which are avai lable from international bodies . It is commercially a�a.ila.�Je on compact disc (CD-ROTvl ) and on the World Wide Web (WWW). on a subscr ip tion basis . Maintenance. updating enhancement and user support of the CD-ROM wil l be supponed by an annual user subscri ption. This was set at US$ 500 per annum for single PC use. with a graduated subscrip tion fee from network vers ions. d epending on the number of terminals. L1pdates of t he CD-ROM are issued biannually to subscribers.

IPCS INCHE;\1 contains the following documents: ! PCS Environmental Health Criteria Monographs: lPCS Health and Safety Gu ides: I PCS I nternational Chemical Safety Cards: \VHO/FAO Pest ic ide Data Sheets; J ECFA Monographs: JMPR Evaluations: !PCS Poisons Information \lonographs; I PCS / EC Ant idotes Series: lLO/ClS C hemical Database: UNEP-processed OECD SI DS.

2.8 :\ la 11 .1geme1 1 t of chemical emergencies and prevent ion

kfr Smlok A tallah, f )irl'ctor ,!f

t•:m•i1w1111t•l ftal Health. WH() 1-.tv/R()

The rapid industrial ization of the past two centuries has often caused environmental contamination for bevo nd the contines of the industrial sector. Fu11her. the size and scale of industrial accidents. such as those at Seveso in I taly and Bhopal in I nd i a have heightened pub I ic awareness of the potential risks of such act ivities to the health of the surrounding populations and to the c::nvironment .

The need for train i ng of people invo lved in the management of chemica l emergencies, p revent ion. preparedness and response was addressed. Curricula for training different categories of personnel and the public are being prepared by IPCS. Chemical warfare. and the importance of learning from experiences. i .e . p revious chemical accidents. were h ighlighted.

2.9 Chemic:al food addi tives and h uman he:t l th

Dr Semra { l/11atam. Training am.I R!!.w.:arch Adviser. WHU ( �EHA und Mr Jacoh Williams, As.mciale l'mjl'ssio11a/ ( H/icl'r, WHO ( 'EHA

Food chemical additives are defined. in the broad sense. to be inclusive of direct food additives. residues from $O[vents and processing aids. pesticides. veteri nary dnigs. animal feed additives, as well as food contact migrants. The llSe of chemical additions to food needs strict regulat ion and evaluation because of their potential to affect human health adversely with increasi ng scientific knowledge and advance food analytical techniques. more and more potential ly toxic residual substances are bei ng identified in food.


The sources and types of food chemicals and the potential for adverse human health effects they present were reviewed. Also reviewed were the international mechanisms for regulating the use of chemical additives. A brief discussion of imponan·t national considerations for impl ementing realistic regulatory limits was presented. Concerted and joint. efforts by government. the scientific community. the food industry and the general popuhttion to ensure minimal exposure from food sources is advocated. Central to these efforts are the development of sustainable monitoring systems and public (user) education. as well as good industrial. agricultural and food processing and preparation practices. Adequate consideration should be given to dietary pesticide exposure to neonates and children since they are especia l ly vulnerable.

2. to H uman he:, l th protection in :1gric1 1 lture: the role of ex ten sion services

Dr !hrahim Xa:er. £\"h'ma/ Tc!mpmwy rldriscr. JVH()

The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1 096 (in the USA) is the most significant piece of pesticide and food satety legislation to have etlect in the USA and the world. The most important change in the FQPA is "reassessment of all pesticide tolerances" to ensure that these tolerances meet the stri ngent new "reasonable cenainty of no harm" standard which includes several considerations.

The hazard of individual contamination from pesticides varies with the type of potential exposure. People who handle pesticides during load i ng or mixing may become contaminated with the pesticide in its most dangerous form: the concentrated material. Even for non-users. exposure can occur at home. school and work. as consumers of contaminated food. water. and air. The improper hand ling and use of pesticides is a major constraint to reduced exposure.

Audio-visual aids and brochures play an irnponant role in pesticide Extension. Demonstration farms are also essential tools to train farmers in good pest management practice. Extension agents should use farm days and a pioneer farmer in their programmes. Constant contact with farmers is the key to successful extension programmes.

2. 1 1 H uman resources developmen t: t raining :ic tivi ties of the I PCS

Dr .laur:I l'rmn::uk, M11dh:al (�[fh:1..·r Toxicologist. ! 1oi.wmi11� l'rc1 ·c11tirm and ]i-eutmr:111. /!'( ·s. WHO h11adq11arter.'i

An analysis of the current situation indicates the lack of capacity and capabilities in countries. particularly developing countries and tlwse in economic transition. as a major hindrance to the sound management of chemicals. Human resource development is an important aspect of capacity building and the Intergovernmental Fomm on Chemical Safety (IFCS) promotes the establishment of education programmes and training courses at both national and regional level to create a critical mass of qualified technicians and admin istrators for im plementing sound management of chemicals.


The IPCS has prepared a series of tools. training manuals and course materials to support countries. These include:

• Basic .concepts of toxicology and the use of risk and hazard assessment in develop ing · chemical management and safety at county level ;

• Chemicals information management: • Po"i.soning diagnosis. prevention and t reatment ti.1r medical professionals and for primary

· and other health care workers: • Analytical toxicology techniques for laboratory staff: • multi-level course on the safe use of pesticides: • A secondary school textbook on chemical safety; and • Chemical safety training modules.

Other training materials are under preparation. Activities ,tre di rected towards preparing materials for training the tra iners. Nat ional guidance and training materials may need to be adapted for use in specifi c cou ntries or regions and translated i nto local l anguages. for which the collaboration of the appropriate WHO Regio nal Otlice is often sought.

2. 1 2 Role o r W H O Repres entat ives i n in i ti:t t i on u r na t iona l chemic:t l safoty progra m mes

Dr Al. !. A f-Klummhky. A <:ting JVH() l<'-'/Wt'selltatil'efor l�t.,')/Jf

The paper was presented in two parts. The ti rst revi ewed the h i storical development of international efforts in chemical safety and presented b rief summaries of areas of responsib i l i ty for the various United Nations and other internat ional agencies involved in chemical safety. The second part of the paper was 011 the development of the nationa l programme on chemical safety i n Egypt. i nc l ud i ng the role of the World Health Organization and the other international agencies in its development . The responsibil i t ies of the various national agencies in the programme were detai led. in-depth. While acknowledging the enormous headway made at the national level. the author advocated renewed/intensified efforts at finding solut ions to existing problems.

2. 13 S trategies for efTective publ ic educat ion mu.I awareness in chem ica l sarety

Dr Semra ( 1/uatam. Trai11i11>; and Re.w.:an.:h Adviser. WHO ( '£HA

One of the key issues to reducing the high environmental accumulation of and human exposure to chemicals/chemical products and the resultant adverse impacts on human health is adequate user/public education and awareness of potential risks and empO\verment to undertake seJ t:.generated health and environmentally responsible behaviour.

While the health sector will have to spearhead etforts at public education. an intersectoral approach is needed to et1ectively address the diversity of causes for voluntary and involuntary chemical risks. A governmental pol icy for intersectornl action is therefore seen as essent ial to overcome the barriers resulting from inter-departmental/agency conflicts .

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Comprehensive evaluation of needs. at the national level. wil l be necessary for effective p lanning and cost-effective resource disbursement. This should be coupled with dynamic community panicipation in the development and implementatitin of strategies at the local level

3. COUNTRY PRESENTATIONS

3. t Egypt

Egypt faces many challenges to control safe handling of chemicals. Several laws and regulations govern the handling of chemicals in Egypt. Principal agencies involved in chemical safety include the Ministries of Health. Agriculture. Industry and Petroleum. The Egyptian Environmenrnl Affairs Agency (EEAA) coord inates the nat ional activities to protect the environment from unsafe use of chemicals.

The major problems for control of chemicals in Egypt are:

• inadequate capabilities to assess t he potential toxicity and to control the nature and purity of imported or domestical ly produced chemicals :

• handling of chemicals by inadequately informed or trained personnel. especial ly operators in small-scale enterprises:

• shortage of management skil ls needed to deal sately wit h technology transfer. and with the storage. transport use or disposal of chemical s:

• lack of effective mechani sms fix coordinating the \vork of those responsib le for different aspects of chemical safety;

• lack of means of coping with chemical accidents. including the treatment of victims and their subsequent rehabil itation� -,.,.

• inadequate legal framework for management of chemicals and for the implementation and enforcement of regulations fbr industrial and consumer hazardous substances:

• lack of reliable information sources and resources to establish properly coordinated infrastmctures and control procedures to deal safely with chemicals.

3.2 Islamic Repu blic of I ran

A number of courses o n poisons and chemical safety for undergraduate and postgraduate students of toxicology. environmental health medicine and occupational health and safety are carried out in about 20 universities. The determination of organochloride and organophosphide residues in agricultural products. as well as potential occurrence of chemical accidents in factories is the responsibil ity of the national chemical safety committee. The committee is also concerned with the preparation of regulations. establishment of inthrmatinn centres. collection l,f infi.mnation on chemical substance produced in or imported into the country. planning for supervision of health of personnel involved with chemical materials and safety of fi.1od. water and air.


The Ministries l1f Jihad. Agricu lture. I ndustries and Envi ronmenta l Protection Organization regulate the use of chemicals and chemical products. whi le the Mini stry of Health and Medical Education assist fro m the human health standpoint.

3:3 ,Jordan

Many governmental agencies have responsibi l ity for different aspects of chemical safety and, proper legis lation having been introduced. responsibility for certain funct ions i s c lear. while in other areas. there i s an overlap of responsibility or a lack of clarity as to who i s responsible. Some of the agencies that have a role i n chemical safety are: M i nistry of Health. Ministry of lnterior/Public Security Directorate/Civi l Defense Directorate. Ministry of lndustry and Trade. �1 inistry of Agriculture. General Cooperation for Envi ronmental Protection. Jordan establ ished a Govern mental Committee in which concerned governmental agencies and services are pan ic ipating to strengthen the national chemical management system. A chemi cal inti.1rmation centre ( C I C ) has been establi shed with the support of CEHA and it is the nat ional focal point for chemical safety . The centre has s i nce produced Arabic forms for repon ing hazardous chemical and pestic ide tox icity cases.

There are no spec ific laws l,r regulat ions governing chemica l substances to assure their safe hand l ing and use i n Jordan . The i\ l in istry l, f Hea l th a nd the r-..'l i r, i stry c,f Interior ( Publ ic Securi ty and Civi l Defense Directorates) are the main governmental i nstitutions responsible for the sate use and h andli ng of chemicals in the country. A bye-law prepared by a group of experts from d ifferent agencies and inst i tut ions i n Jnrdan and proposed by the Min istry of Healt h for approval cou ld be a sol ution to many nf the problems faced in Jordan.

3A � l orocco

The chemical industry represents 32% of industrial production and 3 8% of investment goes to thi s sector. I n agriculture, 40% of the working populat ion i s employed. There i s currently u nregulated importat ion and tratlic of chemicals . Relevant regulations need to be updated . An exhaustive inventory of chemicals used in the country i s lacking. the chemical emergency p lan has not been u pdated and adequate well trained personnel i n chemical safoty are insutlicient . Etforts are currently underway to correct the situation. The Ministry of Health i ni t iated. t his year. the elaboration of a national profile of chemical safety. The draft of the profi l e wil l be d i scussed and fi nalized during an upcoming workshop. It i s expected also to implement a National Register for Chemicals. which wi l l be a database of information on chemicals imported. produced and/or commercial ized in the country.

The Min istry of Health has a unit . located in the Division o f Environmental Health. responsible for the chemica l safety programme. The National Institute of Hygiene provides analytical support and expertise. The A nti-Poison Centre is specialized in toxicological aspects and in management of poisoning cases. The Ministry of Environment acts to

coordi nate between ministries concerned with environmental topics and to enhance legislative and institutional tools related to chemicals. harmful and toxic wastes. Its National Laboratory of Environment assists in chemical invest igations regarding water, soil and air

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pollution. The Ministry of Agriculture is in charge of pesticide registration. I t undertakes field investigations regarding pesticide residues. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is in charge of standards and of product safety sheets.

'The Emergency Department (Ministry of Interior) has the responsibility of P.r.eV:e_pt ive, forecasting and corrective activities related to emergency situations and disasters. Ministry of External Trade can provide data on imported chemicals .

3.5 Pakistan

The chemical safety situation of Pakistan has the following characteristics:

• Public perception of dangers posed by the indiscriminate use of chemicals i s low. • No single agency is responsible fi.1r chemical safety. • No single consolidated list exist for all chemicals available. • Production of chemicals has increased more than tive times during last 1 0 years . . • The impon of agrochemicals has increased by nearly four times • Other impo11ed chemicals have aiSl) increased more than three times. • There is no 1ml l r i �ectoral cooperation. D i fferent agencies are doing work i n t11eir

allocated fields.

Pakistan staned its first programme ti.1r chemical safety in I C)Q6-97. the aim and objectives of which are: national strategy for chemical safety: national p roti l e on chemical safety; national registry of toxic and hazardous chemical ; prevention of poisoning and environmental pollution; nat ional centre for training trainers.

Regulatory constraints on use of agrochemicals. including pesticides include registration and import regulations . Problems of concern relate to old and decaying pesticides. adulteratio n of pest icides and storage and application .

It is proposed that the programme fix chemical safety should be held under a multi sectoral federal secretary level (highest administrative level not ministerial level) Administrative Council. which should act as the fbcal point for all aspects of chemical safety at the federal level for coordination of the e tfons of Government regulatory agencies. professional. industrial and commercial organizations and concerned NGOs. as well as agencies like WHO. ILO. UNDP. UNI DO and other international donor agencies like CIDA. JAJCA. GTZ and the World B ank. This committee would be the administrative body. would scmtinize the regulations submitted by the technical committee and would recommend for enactment by the federal law makers.

3.6 Saudi Ar:1hia

The Meteorology and Environmental Protection Agency ( MEPA). which is the national focal point for IPCS and the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals Programme. has been selected by an interagency national committee as the lead agency to dratl a country-wide chemical substances programme. It coordinates the national C hemical

WHO-EM'CEHrV90-E Page 12

Safety programme (CHEMSAFE). which aims nt the preparation of a national integrated plan for safe handl ing. transpon. storage. use and disposal of chemicals and chemical wastes. Draft regulations were recent ly prepared and the role of relevant agencies· identified : Ministry.of Health. Ministry of Agriculture and Water. �tinistry of Industry and Electricity. Ministry of lnterior (civil defense). Ministry of Transponation. King Abdulaziz City for S:ci_en�-� and Technology. i'vleteorology and Environmental Protection Agency. As part of national capacity development. a training course on chemical safety. disaster management and preparedness was held. with the assistance of WHO. A major. current l i miting factor to chemical safety is the lack of adequate documentatil."111 on the types and uses of chemicals i n the country.

3.7 Sml,111

Ferti lizers and pest i c ides account for most i 111 po11ed chemicals. The application of pesticides is not well contro l l ed. Also, the storage and transportation of chemicals is for from being sat isfactory. and registration and repLming of chemical accidents is very poor. Most chemical poisoning i s due to consumption of gross contaminated food. Paraphenylenediamine (hair dye) is a l so responsib le for substantial cases l, f poisoni ng. su icidal. homicidal and accidental . The current estimated load llf obsolete pesticides is about 1 000 tonnes. and is the most d1alle11g ing issue to the government . International assistance has been sought. especia l ly that of F AO.

A coordi nat inn mechanism is needed ti.,r effective i mp lementat ion of regulato� measures and sound management l,f chem i ca ls . An i ntersectornl task force has been formed to prepare a nat iona l chemical proti le. The � l inistri es of Health. :\linistry of Agriculture and National Resources. the I nsti tute of Envi ron mental S tudies at Univers ity of Khartoum and NGOs have some cont ribut ion to chemical managemenr .

J.8 Syrian Ara b Repub l ic

Bodies using pesticides are: M i nistry of Health (vector control - annual consumption about 30 tonnes of insecticides and 2 tonnes of mol luscicides) : Ministry of Agriculture (pest control- annual consumption about U$ I I mi l l ion); Ministry of Local Administration (control of harmful insects and rodents- annual consumption about 70 tonnes of insecticides and 75 tonnes of rodenticides); private sector (various purposes- annual quantities not available). Various legis lation concerned wit h pest icides exists . About 323 tonnes of pesticides are earmarked for disposal.

Bodies with direct responsibilities are Ministry of Economy and External Trade { licensing the importation of chemicals): Ministry of I ndustry (estimating the quantities of industrial chemicals) : �finistry of Health (accepting the importation of chemicals through the Health D irectorate in p rovinces) : Ministry of Agriculture (accepting the importation of agricultural chemicals: it has a pesticides laboratory): Ministry of Environment.


There i s a general national p lan for disaster preparedness in Syria. This plan contains a chapter on chemical disasters and is under review by The Prime Minister. Future plans on chemical safety include: a national profile on chemical safety, national c·hemical register. lists for-restricted and banned chemicals. specifications for labeling. adoption formats of IPCS a·mong others.

3.9 Tun isia

The government is givi ng priority to the safe management of chemicals. many actions have been undertaken to support the sector dealing with chemicals. by elaborating laws concerning the management of chemical wastes and the transport of hazardous substances. There are. addit ional ly. ongoing efforts at collecting and collating national data on chemicals. which is currently fragmented and scattered.

4. CONCLUSIONS

• There is increasing use of chemicals in all areas of human activity i n the Region which presents potential for adverse impact on both the environment and human�health.

• The various agencies included in the production and uti l ization of these chemicals often work in isolation .

• There is. at present. inadequate technical expertise to carry out required local in-depth evaluation of the risks posed by these chemicals.

• In order to better assess the i mportance of to:xicological problems and collect evidence of the impact of chemicals on the health of 1he population. data collection and reporting systems should be implemented .

• Monitoring/surveillance and management of pesticides requires special attention.

• Sustainable monitoring/surveillance programmes must be developed .

• Strategies for the safe disposal of obsolete chemicals ( especially pesticides) are needed.

5. REC0!\11\I ENDATIONS AND PLAN OF ACTION

I . Every country should have a National Programme on Chemical Safety, responding to regional and international recommendations. The programme should be developed and implemented through a process of consensus. which requires the participation of various stakeholders. including health. agriculture. environment. civil defense. industry, commerce. professional organizations and relevant nongovernmental organizat ions.


It is recognized that in some countries such intersectional mechanisms have been already established. but require strengthening and/or reactivation .

.The mechanism of preparing national pro ti les should be followed as a means to identify the main needs and priorit ies fi.1r action in the countries.

2 . The priority areas for inclusion in a national plan of action are:

• Information

- Preparation of nntional regi stries. e . g. pesticides. hazardous chemicals. - P reparation of national pro ti les - Training and education on education awareness-raising - Dissemination of informat ion lrn chemical risk assess ment studies - Access to existing databases

• Legi s lation

- t mpo11at ion. manufactu ring, storage. dist ribut ion. use and disposal of chemicals

- Training and education of professio nals - Development of curricula at mid. graduate and post-graduate leve ls - Continuing education for protessionals in heal th and relevant sectors

• Prevention and management of toxic exposures

- Preparl!dness and response to chemical incidents - Strengthening analytical toxicology faci lit ies - Setting up and networking of po isons or chemical i n formation and

management centres - Promotion of preventive measures among non-health professionals - P romotion of medical services for dealing with toxic exposures at d ifferent

levels ( primary heal th care. distr ict healt h and tertiary care centres. and poison centres)

3 . The che1nical safety progranunes at country and regional levels should be considered as priority programmes and discussed by future national meetings and joint i nterministerial meetings. and should be considered as a technical subject for discussion and consideration at a future WHO Regional Committee meeting.

4. To ensure the proper implementation. follow-up and sustainability of national chemical safety activities. a l l inputs related to chemical safety by the i nternational and intergovernmental agencies. should be notified and coordinated with IPCS/\VHO headquarters and channel led through the Regional Otlice.


ANNEX I

AGENDA

• Objectives. scope and purpose of the workshop • Regional overview of the use of chemica Is and chemical products • Country presentations • Effective pesticide mo nitoring/surveillance and management programmes • Persistent organic pollutants • Risk evaluation of chemical s • The management and handling of excess and waste chemicals • The significance and priori ties in research and training in chemical safety • Harmonization of chemical data and reprn1ing: Presentation of the IPCS reporting

format • Safety measures and health concerns in the grov .. ·ing chemical industries • The development and use of count ry profiles on chemical safety • P resentation of the I PCS INCH EM database • Management o f chemical emergencies and prevention • Chemical food additives and human health • Humnn hea l th protection in ngriculture: tht! role of extension services • Human resources development and the ! PCS training modules on chemical safety • Role of \VR on initiat ion of national chemical safety programme • Strategies tbr effective publ ic education and awareness in chemical safety • Formation and orientation of working groups. preparation of terms of reference for

working groups and initiat ion of discussion • \Vorking group discussions • Plenary session and discussion of working group reports • Formulation of conclusions and recommendations. strategies and plan of action • Adoption of conclusions and recommendations. strategies and plan of action

\VHO-EM/CEHA/90-E Page 16

ANNEX 2

PROGRAi\lM E

S:1 t 1_1niay. 26 Septem ber 1 998

08:30 - 09:30

09:30 - I 0:30

1 0 :45 - I I :OO

I 1:00 - I I : J O

1 1:30 - 1 2 : 50

1 3 :20 - 1 4 :40

14 :40 - 15 :00

Registration and Video on "CEHA Standard Presentation"

Opening ceremo ny • \Vel cL1 111e Address ( El\'I RO/CEHA/HQ) • i\'lessage of or address by Dr. H.A. Gezairy. Regional Director.

WHO/Ei\·lRO • Inaugural Address by H . E. The Mi nister of Health. Syrian Arab

Repub l i c • Elect ion of oni cers • Group photo

Object i ves. scope and purpose of the workshop Dr S. Uluatam. Tra in ing and Research Adviser. Centre for Envirnnmenral Hea l t h Activi t i es. ( CE HA)

Regional overvi ew of the use Ll f chemicals and cht!mical products \ Ir S. Atal l ah. Director Envi ronmental Hea l t h Programme. E1\llRO

Country presentations ( Egypt, I slamic Repub l ic of I ran. Jordan. t\forocco)

Cont i nuat ion of count ry presentations ( Pakistan. Saudi Arabia. Sudan. Syrian Arab Republ i c)

Cont i nuat ion of country p resentations (Tunis ia)

Sunday. 27 September 1 9?8

08 :30 - 09: 1 5

09: I 5 - I 0 :00

I 0:00 - I 0 :45

11 :00 - 11 :45

The management and handl ing of excess and waste chemicals Dr Ibrahim Al Nazer. External Temporary Advisor

Pers istent organic pol lutants Dr H. Rather. CSV/EM RO

Management of chemical emergencies and prevent ion Mr S. Atal lah. DEH/EMRO

Harmonization of c l i n i cal case data and i ncident data col l ection and reporting: lPCS lNTO X formats Dr J. Pmnczuk. Medical Otlicer/Toxicologist. Poison i ng Prevention and Treatment. IPCS. WHO/HQ

1 1 :45 - 1 3 :00

1 3 :30 - 1 4 :00

1 4:00 - 1 5 :30

Group Work


Group I : Effective pesticide monitoring/surveillance and management programmes

Group II: Risk evaluation of chemicals Group I I I : Safety measures and health concerns in the growing

chemical i ndustries.

Group work ( continued)

Group presentations

l\londay, 28 Septem ber 1 998

08: 30 - 09: 1 5

09 : 1 5 - 10 :00

1 0 :00 - 1 0:45

1 1 :00 - 1 1 :45

1 1 :45 - 1 2:30

1 3 :00 - 1 3 :45

13 :45 - 14:30

The development and use of country profi les on chemical safety Dr H. Rathor. CSV/EMRO

Presentation of the I PCS I NCHE:\1 database Dr Pronczuk. WHO headquarters

The signi ficance and priorities in research and training i n chemical safety Dr S Uhmtam, TRA/CEHA and M r J .E. Wil l i ams. APO/TR/CEHA.

Chemical food additives and human health Dr S Uluatam. TRA/CEHA and Mr J.E . Williams. APO/TR/CEHA.

Human hea l th protect ion in agriculture : the role of extension services Dr Ibrahim Al Nazer. External Temporary Advisor

Human resou rces development : trai ning activities of the IPCS Dr Pronczuk. WHO headquarters

Role of WR on i nitiation of national chemical safety programme Dr Al Khawashky. Acting WHO Representative/Egypt

Tuesday, 29 September 1 998

08:J0 - 09: 1 5

09: 1 5 - I 0:45

1 1 :00 - 1 2 :45

1 3 : 1 5 - 1 5 : 1 5

Strategies for effective public education and awareness in chemical safety Dr Semra Uluatam. TRNCEHA

Formation and orientation of worki ng groups. Preparation of terms of reference thr working groups and initiat ion of discussion

Working group discussions

Worki ng group presentations


\Vetlnestfay, 30 September 1 998

08 :30 • 1.0: 1 5

I 0 :3'0--: 1 2 :00

1 2 :30 - 1 3 :45

1 3 :45 • 1 4 :00

Plenary session and d iscussion of worki ng group reports

Formulation of conclusions and recommendations Strategies and Plan of Act ion

Adopt ion of conclusions and recommendat ions Strategi es and Plan of Act ion

C losing session

WHO-EM/CEH NCJ0-E Page 1 9

ANNEX 3

LIST OF PA RTICI PANTS

Dr Shermin Samir AbouBakr Chemical Safety Unit Occupational Health Department Ministry of Health and Population Cairo

Chemist Soheir Fayez Guirguit1s Toxicology Depanment Embaba Environmenral l\ lonitoring Centre 1 . Tayar Fekry Street Giza

ISL.-\. l\l lC R E P U B LI C O F I RA N

Dr Ali A . Farshad Director General for Envi ronmental and Occupat ional Healt h. Ministry of Health and Medical Educat ion Teheran

Dr Omid Sabzevari Department of Toxicti logy & Pharmacology Faculty of Pharmacy Teheran University of Medical S ciences Teheran 1 4 I 55/645 1

JORDAN

Mrs Fati ma Al-Tawalbeh Environmental Health Directorate Ministry of Health P.O. Box 86 Amman

Mr Samer Melkawi Environmental Hea lth D irectorate Ministry of Health P. 0. Box 86 Amman

MO ROCCO

Mr Mustapha Bennouna Chef de la Division de

! 'Hygiene du Mi lieu


Dire"ction de l 'Epidemiologie et de Lutte centre !es Maladies

Ministere de la Sante Rabat

PAKISTAN

Prof Shabbir Hussain Prof of r.ledicine J i nnah Postgraduate :\ I C;!dical le;!ntre Karachi

Dr :VL Sohai l Kari m Hashmi Nat ional Programme :\ l anager ( E HU) l\ tinistry of Health ls lnmabad

SAUDI A RABIA

l\lr l\fohamed Abdu latif Al Thobiti Coordinator Chemical Safety Programme �·[inistry of Health c/o WR/Saudi Arabia Rivadh

Mr Suleiman Ben Mohamed AI-Zabe;!n Meteorological and Envi ronment Protection Agency Jeddah c/o WR/Saudi Arabia Rivadh

SUDAN

Mr Abdel Moniem Sallem Director Environmental Health

and Food Control Federal M inistry of Health P. 0. Box 303 Khartoum

Mr Adam Ali Mohamed

WHO-EM/C EH N90-E Page 2 1

Chemical Safety Programme C o ordinato r do \YR- Sudan Khartoi.1m

• . -

SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

Dr Bassa m Abu AI-Zahab Director of Chemical Safety M inistry of Health Damascus

Eng. Ayman AI-Khateeb Permanent Secretary of Technical Cnmmittt!e

of Pesticides Ministry of Health Dama scus

TUNISIA

Mr Slaheddine Chin iti Directeur de ! 'Hygiene du Milieu et

de la Protection de ! 'Environnement ( OHMPE) Ministere de la Sante Publique Tunis

Miss Emna Helmi l ngenieur Chimiste Responsable de la securi te des Produits Chimiques

Direction de ! 'Hyg iene du Milieu et de la Protection de l 'Environnemenr

Ministere de la Sante Publique Tunis

Mr A M. AI-Shahri P. 0. Box 1 4058 Dammam 3 I 424 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

M r Mazen Khalil Ministry of Health Amman J o rdan

OBS E RVERS

Dr Ali Attourah Poison Centre Ministry .of Health Syria11 Arab Republic

Dr Manna Rithek Poison Centre Ministry of Health Syrian Arab Republ ic

WHO-El\,VCEHN90-E Page 22

W H O Secret:t ri : lt

Mr Sadak Atal lah. Director. Environmental Hea l th. WHO/Regional Office for t he Eastern �1editerranean. Alexandria. Egypt

Dr M. 1 . Al-Khawashky. A/WHO Representative. r,,,'[agl ess E l Shaab Box No. 1 46, Cairo -1 1 5 1 6. Egypt

Dr Sentra Uluatam. Trai n ing and Research Advi ser. WHO Regiona l Centre for Environmental. Health Acti vit i es. C EHA. Amman. Jordan

Dr H. Rathor. Regional Adviser. Chemical Safety and Vector Control. EMRO. Alexandria. Egypt

Dr J . Pronczuk. rvled ical Ot1icer. Toxicologi st. Pl, ison ing Prevent ion and Treatment. IPCS. Geneva. Switzerland

Dr Ibrahim Nazer. External Temporary Adviser. Dean. Facu l ty of Agricu l tural Technok1gy. Al-Balqa Univers i ty. Sa lt . Jordan

Mr Jacob E. Wil l iams. Associate Professional Ofticer. WHO Regiona l Cemre for Environmental. Health Activities. CE HA. Amman. Jordan

Mrs Azza EI-Sandoubi . DEH Secretary, WHO/Ef\llRO, Alexandria .• Egypt

Mrs Amal Samaan. Secretary. WHO/EMRO. Alexandria. Egypt


ANNEX 4

SPECIFIC RECOMl\-l ENDATIONS OF \VORKING G ROUPS

Group I : Effective pesticide monitoring nnd nrn rrngement program me

There should be national register. national profile. national programme of chemical safety and firm laws and regulations.

2. Proper management of hazardous chemicals i .e .. production. import. transport. storage. application. etc.

3 . Disposal of empty pesticide containers needs attention 4. Monitoring envi ronmental pollution from pesticides. e. g. food. water. air and soil

requires involving government. teaching and research insti tutions. 5. Evaluat ion of hlood. fat. breast milk for residual pest icides ( persi stent organic pollutants

is needed). 6. Household/domestic pesticides marketing should be in various sizes (preferably small)

properly labelled ( for application. storage. disposal). with low active ingredient concentrations.

7. Increase awareness of publ ic fbr safe handling and management of pest icides thrnugh mass media. education system. community involvement ( NGO/GOVT) seminars. workshops.

8. Encourage integrated pest management by coordination with agencies {\VHO/F AO/UNEP).

9. In add ition to normal labe l l ing. date of manufacturing and expirat ion should be embossed/printed on each individual packing of pest icide.

I 0. Monitoring of obsolete pesticides at:

-Government stores -Commercial stores -lmport/mam1focturer -Farms

Short term rl!co111111e11dutio11.v

-National coordinator -Awareness -Registrat ion -Community involvement

Cost

Health sector Agricul ture sectllr Defense/i nterior sector

Protessional associations

-The cost of the above short term activities is manageable and could be secured through WHO country allocation/concerned government activi ty.

-Long term activities have to be written as proposal for fondin g from donor agencies. \VHO could help i n writing and contacting the donors .

WHO-EM/CEH A/90-E Page 24

Group I I. : Risk evahrntion of chemicals

T.he establishment of a national committee to be composed of responsible agenc_ies/.bodies involved in chemicals (import, export. production. t ransportation. storage. appl_ieation and disposal) to coordinate activities. or the activation of existing ones. The co·mmittee shal I be tasked with :

I . Analysis of the country si tuation 2. Preparation of a nat ional/country pro ti le for chemical safety 3 . Providing suggest ions and recommendat ions to policy makers in the following areas.

among others:

• the establishment o f modal i t ies ti..1r the risk assessment of chemicals used in the country. inc luding strateg ies for human resl1 urces strengthening (through sustai nab le in-service trai ning fi.1r all categories of personnel . as wel l as. the establ ishment llf certificate/degree courses)

• Strengthening the laws and regulat ions l,n chem ical safety • Infrastnictural strengthening (e.g. chemical information and poi son control centre etc. ) • Develop strategies for public awareness

Plan of :tc t ion

I t i s recommended that WHO. through i\tOH. propose the estab l i shment of a national committee on chemical safety invol ving al l role p layers

I t is proposed t hat t he i\'IOH prepare prdiminary l,rganizational framework for t he said com mittee

The MOH shou ld p rovide coord ination ti.Jr conveni ng the ini tial meetings of the comm ittee a t which the duties of the committee will be detined and various responsibilit i es wil l be assigned.

Fol lowing the defini t ion of duties of the committee, t he necessary legislat ions should be sought to provide formal au thority for the committee's work.

The national co mmittee should. subsequently. implement actions to promote chemical safety based on the above-mentioned guidel ines and/or their adaptations, as required. This should include. as a matter of priority:

The assignment of the responsibil i ty for t he assessment of chemical risks to a competent national institution (e.g. a chemical research institution/ University etc.)

The said responsib l e institution should present its findi ngs to the nat ional committee on chemical safety for follow up recommendations to government.

It should seek to present. both in economic and other terms. the impact of these chemicals. to provide the necessary arguments ti..1r advocacy.

Long-Term


Continuous updating of the chemical safety profi le

Establishment of permanent mechanisms for enhanced information exchange between agencies both within the country and the region as a whole.

The national committee shall propose to the Ministry of Education /higher education/medical education the establ ishment of courses (diplomas. certificates. degrees) in chemical (includ ing occupational) safety.

Establishment of permanent mechanisms for the evaluation of training programmes. risk assessment.

Group 111. \Vorking group on lrnrmonized dat;1 collection

The working group concluded and recommended : l . In order to better assess the importance of toxicological problems and collect the

evidence of impact of chemica ls l1" the h ealt h of the population. data collection and reporting system should be implemented .

., Data on cases of toxic exposure cases should be collected at different health levels. through the primary health care systems .

3 . In order to harmonize data collection and repor1ing a s impl ified format ti..1r use at the PHC and DH workers level would be useti.1 I.

4. The data collected could be correlated with existing !PCS INTOX format. allowing for international comparison of data.

5. The analysis of data collected could be the basis to assess the chemical safety programme ti.1r that country.

6. Reports prepared on basi s of harmon ized data collection process wil l serve for planni ng chemical satety. prevention and toxicovigilance activit ies in countries of EMRO.

!11itial plan r!f m.:1io11

l . To complete the format drafted at this meeting and prepare guidelines. includ ing a strateb'Y for implementation of data collect ion at country level

2. Identify the responsible professional and organizations for thi s activity -3. Plan and implement the testing of the format and guidelines at the PHC/DH 4. F inalize the format and guidelines according to the results of field testing 5. Organize and inclement the includ ing train ing of the staff in charge of data collection.

compilation and analysis. 6. Prepare a plan of action for a biennium for case data collect ion and reporting.

iical safety - world health organization · chemical. and temperature. good storage practice is...

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