Environmental management framework of persistent organic pollutants in India

Abstract

Purpose – The current situation in India concerning the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), aimed at regulating their production and use has been examined. The purpose of this paper is to present data on the quantities of POPs generated and accumulated in the country. Measures for environmental sound management of POPs and effective implementation of the Stockholm Convention have been recommended. Design/methodology/approach – A national implementation plan (NIP), presenting the status and inventory of POPs in India was developed. Ground-level situation of 12 POPs were assessed through inventorization, samples collection, analysis and interpretations. Findings – As per the inventory of POPs; to date, the total amount of polychlorinated biphenyls is assessed as up to 28,000 MT in the power sector and total quantity of date-expired obsolete pesticides stock was around 47,000 kg. The total emission of dioxins was estimated to be ∼8.7 kg toxic equivalent, with the main contributions coming from waste incineration followed by ferrous and non-ferrous metal production. There are gaps in the implementation, in terms of existing legal and regulatory framework and Stockholm Convention requirements. Practical implications – The analysis, results and recommendations presented would be useful for other developing countries in a comparable position to India confronting similar challenges of POPs management. Originality/value – During the development of the NIP, primary data on POPs were collected and assessed. This perhaps is the first research paper from India on the status and environmental management framework of POPs listed under various Annexes of the Stockholm Convention.