International HCH and Pesticides Association

About: International HCH and Pesticides Association is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Lindane & Public policy. The organization has 11 authors who have published 8 publications receiving 519 citations. The organization is also known as: IHPA.

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) as new Stockholm Convention POPs--a global perspective on the management of Lindane and its waste isomers.

Abstract: Purpose Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (α-, β- and γ- (Lindane)) were recently included as new persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Stockholm Convention, and therefore, the legacy of HCH and Lindane production became a contemporary topic of global relevance. This article wants to briefly summarise the outcomes of the Stockholm Convention process and make an estimation of the amount of HCH waste generated and dumped in the former Lindane/HCH-producing countries.

Evaluation of hexachlorocyclohexane contamination from the last lindane production plant operating in India.

Abstract: Purpose α-Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), β-HCH, and lindane (γ-HCH) were listed as persistent organic pollutants by the Stockholm Convention in 2009 and hence must be phased out and their wastes/stockpiles eliminated. At the last operating lindane manufacturing unit, we conducted a preliminary evaluation of HCH contamination levels in soil and water samples collected around the production area and the vicinity of a major dumpsite to inform the design of processes for an appropriate implementation of the Convention.

HCH contamination from former pesticide production in Brazil—a challenge for the Stockholm Convention implementation

Abstract: Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (α-, β- and γ- HCH [lindane]) were recently added to the list of persistent organic pollutants regulated by the Stockholm Convention, and therefore, the legacy of HCH and lindane production has become an issue of global relevance. The production of lindane with the much larger quantities of associated waste isomers has generated large waste deposits and contaminated sites. This article presents an overview of HCH-polluted sites in Brazil as a basis for further activities related to the Stockholm Convention. The locations of HCH stockpiles and contaminated sites in Brazil arising from production and formulation have been compiled and mapped. This shows that the measures taken over the past 25 years have not resulted in remediation of the HCH pollution. An exposure risk study has been summarised for one major site and is included to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of the contamination. Major site remediation efforts are planned at one site but people live close to several other sites, and there is an urgent need of further assessments and remediation to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. The Stockholm Convention requires a systematic approach and should be adopted for the assessment of all sites and appropriate isolation/remediation measures should be facilitated. The appropriate planning of these activities for the production site in Rio de Janeiro could be a positive contribution for Rio+20 highlighting that green economy and sustainable production also include the appropriate management of legacies of historic production of an industrial sector (here the organochlorine industry).

The need for better management and control of POPs stockpiles.

Abstract: This special issue of ESPR includes selected papers from the 12th Forum of the International HCH and Pesticides Association (IHPA) (Vijgen et al. 2015) as well as selected contemporary case studies on persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Core IHPA themes (www.ihpa.info) addressed in this issue include the management of pesticide/POPs stockpiles (Van Thuong et al. 2014; Pieterse et al. 2015; Vijgen et al. 2011); pollution by HCH and other POPs at former production site (Amirova and Weber 2015; Torres et al. 2013; Wimmerova et al. 2015; Wycisk et al. 2013); and actions and proposals for moving towards solutions for legacy POPs contamination (Vijgen et al. 2013). A special session at the 12th Forum addressed the health consequences of pesticides and related POPs further contributing to recent review on the estimated external cost of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the EU (157 Billion Euro/year) with the largest effect estimated from pesticides (Trasande et al. 2015). The papers published in this special issue demonstrate that low levels of pesticides can significantly alter concentrations of hormones in children and influence sexual maturation (Croes et al. 2014); result in a developmental disorder (Sisto et al. 2015) induce liver diseases (Carvalho et al. 2014); and cancer (Porta 2014). Another study shows the influence of Dioxin on sperm quality (Galimova et al. 2014). Key conclusions from the 12th Forum were compiled in a consensus statement called the Kiev Declaration (IHPA 2013; Vijgen et al. 2015). In this editorial, we particularly want to highlight the scale of the contemporary challenge for the safe management and effective destruction of POPs and associated contamination in industrial countries; the slow progress in addressing PCB stockpiles and contamination in developing countries; and, as new POPs are added to the Stockholm Convention, the increasing stockpiles of POPs now including brominated flame retardants (PBDEs, HBCD and HBB) and PFOS and related precursors as first perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFASs) which must be addressed. Progress in dealing with the POPs originally listed in the convention has been painfully slow, and it is vital that together we should find a better way forward. Three recent examples with some widespread contamination highlighted in the selected case-studies show how even industrial countries with adequate destruction capacity of modern technology and a well-established regulatory framework—including clear lines of responsibility for the competent authorities—can still struggle to manage POPs in an environmentally sound, manner. The first case, described by Lysychenko et al. (2015)), details how the government of Ukraine excavated approximately 20,000 t of BHCB waste^ from a large, poorly engineered, landfill in which it had been dumped during 30 years of organochlorine solvent production. The waste followed the common route of being exported for destruction by hazardous waste incineration in Europe and much of it was accepted by a Polish operator. The Polish incineration facility, however, was not appropriate for dealing Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues