Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #99089

Kate Davies, MA DPhil, Environment & Community, Antioch University Seattle, 2326 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, 206 268 4811, kdavies@antiochsea.edu

This presentation reviews recent experience with policies for the management of persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances (PBTs) using at least eight examples of North American and international policies developed over the past 15 years, including the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy, the EPA's Multimedia Strategy for Priority, Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Pollutants, and the UN Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Most policies for the management of PBTs are based on similar concepts, such as: taking precautionary action in the absence of complete scientific information; focusing management efforts on PBTs that pose the greatest risks; establishing management goals of virtual elimination and/or risk reduction; and using a combination of voluntary and regulatory approaches to achieve these goals. But although many of the ideas underlying these policies have not changed significantly, others have. For example, several of the early policies relied heavily on scientific evidence of harm in wildlife. In contrast, today, there is a much greater emphasis on proving harm to human health. Moreover, economic considerations now play a more prominent role in decision-making.

The presentation critically reviews the effectiveness of these policies, and shows that they have had some success, although it has been rather limited. The presentation explores the factors contributing to the effectiveness of these policies and suggests some complementary approaches that may lead to more effective management strategies for PBTs.

Learning Objectives: