The recent tsunami has undoubtedly resulted in a number of
uncontrolled localized releases of toxic and hazardous materials to
terrestrial and marine environments. Emergency response activities (e.g.,
fogging for vector control, medical care in ad hoc facilities, excess of
plastic wrapping materials) and disruption of normal routines may exacerbate
problems of medical waste disposal. The objective of this brief is to provide
guidance on short- and medium-term measures to mitigate both risks to health
and long-term environmental damage. This guidance supplements and does not
replace longstanding recommendations for hazardous waste management. That
said, to the extent that waste management was inadequate before the tsunami,
these recommendations may suggest procedures that improve long-term
strategies.
Strengthen national the organizational capacity of
authorities and pledge for the designation of an adequately resourced
“National Hazardous Waste Co-ordination Task Force”— supported by
international experts when necessary.
Establish links with national, regional and international
technical agencies and experts who can be quickly reached to offer advice to
the field teams.
Establish an electronic network among Focal Points in
tsunami-affected countries, including the Basel Convention Regional Centre in
Indonesia, to
exchange information, share experience, and pool expertise as necessary.
Develop a computer database to store information on
hazardous waste sites, arranging for data entry at appropriate levels. To
feed collect standardised information about
hazardous waste sites develop a simple survey instrument (form). Arrange for
transmission of such forms to central location(s), e.g., regional or
provincial centres. Publish this information on a
specific website with links to FAO, UNEP and WHO.
Together with the national and regional authorities, the
national Task Force should have the capacity to assess the capacity of local
governments to take recommended interim measures such as:
 inventorying
local risks;
containing
and securing sites;
storing
known or potentially toxic substances pending evaluation and disposition;
transporting
toxic substances as indicated to a secured area;
assessing availability of personal protective equipment,
etc.
Systematic surveys in affected areas
Refer to existing national practice recommendations for
conducting surveys, supplementing as needed with guidelines from WHO on
health-related issues, FAO on pesticides, and Basel Convention on biomedical,
hazardous, and other wastes.
Review existing data on hazardous waste sites and types of
wastes likely to be encountered.
Review preliminary survey results with local authorities
to identify sites that may have been overlooked.
Define the geographical area(s) to be surveyed, giving
priority to densely populated areas, industrial sites, more heavily affected
areas, and environmentally sensitive areas where hazardous material (e.g.
pesticides) may exist.
Identify subdivisions of the defined area(s) and a lead
agency for each sector
Assess the capacities of municipalities and other local
government structures to assist in the survey through their in-depth
knowledge of the local specificities, concentrating on hot spots (e.g.
industrial plants; dump sites of wastes and hazardous waste; waste and
hazardous waste disposal sites; stockpiles and pesticides; storage facilities
for chemicals and pharmaceuticals).
Organise the collected
information to prepare action plans and proposals within the framework of the
Flash Appeal and submit for consideration.
Warn all teams working in affected areas
of the possibility of encountering hazardous materials. Persons without technical
expertise may need some minimal training in order to recognize potential
problem areas. Provide examples, including pictures, names of products etc.,
as well as information about how to contact experts for immediate advice.
Advise all teams working in the treatment
and disposal of hazardous wastes for the need to ensure adequate personal
protection, including immunization
Working with local authorities, secure
potentially hazardous sites with barrier marking and warning signs; Log
locations (with GPS coordinates, if possible) with the national or regional
coordination office for further action.
Provide general information to local
residents via appropriate media (pamphlets, posters, radio, etc.) with
messages including:
Use caution when re-using construction
debris that may contain asbestos.
Do not handle or re-use empty drums; they
may have contained pesticides or other toxic chemicals.
Do not use waste oils, including oil from broken transformers,
for cooking (such oils could be contaminated with PCBs!)
Do not reuse any medical waste—including
but not limited to sharps
Take preliminary measures if contaminated
sites are identified:
Immediately inform relevant authorities
of initial discovery;
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Warning: Only qualified accredited
experts can inspect suspected sites of hazardous wastes identified to
determine status and recommend solutions.
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Warning:
Consider any suspected chemicals or substances as hazardous until proven
otherwise through analytical means
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The management of hazardous waste should be performed exclusively by specialized professionals. Use existing protocols[1]
to properly manage hazardous wastes (e.g., leftover insecticides for vector
control; empty pesticide containers, chlorine for treatment of water, spent
cooking oils, medical wastes).
Procurement/contractors
Tenders, contracts, and similar instruments offered concerning
hazardous and medical waste disposal should specify the necessity of
conformance to relevant local, national, and international standards
regarding emissions to air, releases to water and soil as well as regarding
the safe disposal or destruction of residues arising from incineration or
other disposal operations.
As soon as possible, governments should conduct
environmental risk assessments, including procedures for clean-up activities.
High-risk situations (e.g., highly toxic chemicals,
proximity to population concentrations) should be identified for priority
consideration.
Evaluate risks of impact of toxic chemicals and hazardous
wastes on ecologically-sensitive systems or critical habitats, such as
wetlands, shallow waters, reefs, mangroves, dunes, etc.
Decide on preliminary measures that can
be taken regarding containment of hazardous wastes or decontamination before
people return to the affected areas.
Rank identified contaminated sites
according to the risk they present and define remediation techniques to be
applied.
Rank contaminated sites according to the
overall risks for human health and the environment. Consider potential
impacts on health or the environment, toxicity, where chemical contamination
is persistent, and its mobility.
For example: Soil contaminated with acute toxic pesticide
requires immediate protective measures; Spreading of highly mobile
contaminants should be monitored and reduced. N.B. Prior and during the
re-construction phase a set of guidelines could be developed based, regarding
training; prevention measures; hazardous waste management; safe working
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