There are many gaps in the way we monitor chemicals in our environment.
How to interpret the environment’s impact on living
things, Finds
A reportFrom the Parliamentary
Commissioner for the Environment.
The report
Examines neonicotinoid inicides, antibiotics and the
Trace metal zinc case studies to illustrate how our regulations can be applied
Negative environmental effects are often overlooked.
Discusses other chemicals of concern like PFAS.
The
SMC consulted experts to provide feedback on the report.
Dr Nick
Kim, Senior Lecturer for Applied Environmental Chemistry
Massey University comments:
“Globally, Human”
The ecosystems are being put under enormous strain by human activities
These are the foundations of them. Few places on the planet are so.
The imprint of
Chemicals that we use and release. For scientists and
Regulators, the fact there are many tens and thousands
Chemicals have presented a unique problem: In the face of
finite resources. How can anyone hope to manage all of them?
risks?
“The chemicals themselves can vary greatly from
From naturally occurring heavy metals to synthetic insecticides
And from relatively non-toxic up to highly toxic.
“Should
We only focus on toxicity. This would be a mistake. There are risks
They don’t just relate to toxicities, they also depend upon it
Context: Where the chemical ends after it is released
What percentage of the environment is there?
happens next. We know that certain chemicals are not safe.
Mass release can cause the destruction of entire communities.
ecosystems. Carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere; nitrogen and/or phosphorus in our streams and rivers
lakes. Human activity also releases soot.
Many substances can be used on an industrial or personal scale.
Scientists can create everything from discrete chemicals to microplastics.
We can only hope to scratch the surface when it comes to describing the phenomenon.
There are many potential harms that may exist.
Create risk-based guidelines Monitor everything
It is literally impossible. Even with a limited budget, we do the best we can.
Monitor for a small target subset of the budget
Chemicals that are used in some locations, but not all the time.
We are compelled to know everything, even in the area chemical use
There are many situations where everything can be educated.
guesswork.
“This raises the real problem of in
Focusing on the subset of things we know is key.
If we focus too much on the details, we might miss the importance of larger events
All of this is happening right under your nose.
“For the
New Zealand’s first ever, and possibly the last, time of its kind in its history.
This report is a world-first and provides a rational path forward. To
Take control of the environmental hazards posed to chemical substances
We need to think more broadly about the use of toxicity. Parallel to toxicity
We are concerned about the potential for a chemical that could cause ecological harm.
Both the environmental context and two must be considered.
Additional axes include whether the chemical in the
Environment, and (if applicable) at what scale.
“This report
This book focuses on finding a better method to manage the potential
I am concerned about the environmental impact of chemical usage.
I fully support its recommendations. Recommendation
1. It is the place where it all comes together: Request all agencies
To develop a common framework for dealing with chemicals
On scale, potential harm, and environmental presence
Chemicals to prioritize their efforts to consider,
Control the environmental impact of chemical substances
use.
“The perspective shift represented in
Development of a New Zealand-wide framework of this type
It would be a great way to address the gaps in our current situation.
There are many approaches. I hope this report can help to catalyze.
This is the shift.
Statement on Conflict of Interest: I was
One of the technical reviewers of the draft of this
report.
Professor Rhiannon Braund, New
Zealand Pharmacovigilance Centre University of Otago
President of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand
comments:
“The choice between pharmaceuticals, and
The case study on antibiotics in the PCE Report focuses mainly on them
It is a welcome development. Particularly given the growing recognition of
One Health is a combination of antibiotic use and
Resistance in humans, animals, and the environment
environment.
“Medicines are the most commonly used
Intervention in the health care system and the environment
via excretion (in wastewater), or disposal of unused or
Expired medicines. Concerned by the expired medicines, pharmacists have expressed concern.
Disposal of medication in New Zealand/Aotearoa
Particularly, the various approaches used by different parties
District Health Boards. This report highlights some aspects of the
Already identified concerns will be key to developing and
Implementing a science-based approach for assessing environmental risk
Consistency in New Zealand/Aotearoa
“Of
New Zealand/Aotearoa are particularly concerned about the
The implications for human health and antibiotic use in livestock
Impact on waterways, and the combination of all these to
Antibiotic resistance
“This body of work highlights
A national medicines strategy is vital.
This includes patient access, excess and disposal.
Stronger anti-microbial management that includes the
System as a whole. These aspects cannot be continued.
siloed.”
There is no conflict of interest
Dr
Jennifer Gadd, Aquatic Chemistryist, NIWA comments:
“I
This report is welcome. New Zealand does not have a system.
Both recording and reporting on chemical usage, as well as those that are not, is possible.
We lack the information necessary to manage our affairs effectively
Chemicals in a way that minimizes environmental risks
to people.
“Most methods that are used to our advantage are:
Examine the amount of chemical contaminants found in the
Environment, in water and soil, sediment, or biological
Organisms rely on us to decide what they should target. When we
You don’t know which chemicals are used in different areas.
We can waste time and resources focusing on locations
Chemicals that weren’t there in the first instance. For some
This information is collected about substances, but it is not used.
Located by industry bodies and is not accessible to the general public
Researchers and the public.
“We can also overlook the
Lack of knowledge can lead to chemicals that are already known to exist. Some
In some cases, this could lead the to incorrect conclusions
Pesticides, for example, are not often found on the surface.
waters.”
Statement on Conflict of Interest: I
Participated in a workshop on this project and was a
This report was peer reviewed by a number of other people. I am also
Lead author of draft water quality guidelines to copper
Contracts from Ministry for the Environment for zinc and copper
Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City
Council.
Associate Professor Melanie Kah, School
University of Auckland, Environment
comments:
“While nutrients are important, bacterial infections can also be caused by them.”
Over the past few years, a lot has been done to address contamination.
In the last decade in Aotearoa NZ we have not done a great deal.
Job in regulating and supervising thousands of chemicals
For household, industrial, or agricultural purposes. These include
Pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals that can be used to control pesticides and other chemicals.
They are found in everyday products. These chemicals are often found in everyday products.
Find their way to the environment. There is an urgent need
We must limit their impact on the soil and surface water.
Groundwater and coastal environments
“I have been
We look forward to the publication this report by The
PCE. Analyze four case studies that are relevant to Aotearoa NZ
To highlight vast gaps in our knowledge, we will detail:
How much of a chemical is used to what amount is in our
environment. I believe that the concrete suggestions made
These excellent guidelines by the Commissioner will guide future decisions
Activities at the interface between science and policy The
The report is a critical and timely assessment of the
Current situation and many opportunities
improvements. As a researcher, I hope to make these improvements.
This report will unlock some of our resources
We must tackle the challenges that we face
chemicals.”
No conflicts
interest.
Magali Moreau – Environmental Chemistry
Team Leader, GNS Science, comments:
“I support the
The recommendations of the Parliamentary Commissioner
Regulation of the environmental fates of chemicals.
“This
Report identifies science opportunities that could assist in
The challenge of addressing a growing chemical list
Contaminants like baseline surveys or a consistent
Reporting framework for chemical pollutants Particular
The recommendations for streamlining efforts
EPA empowered to collect, report, and collate the data
Chemical quantity and chemical use would be regulated
valuable.
“Right now New Zealand relies upon
International literature on toxicology for a
There are many chemical contaminants in the environment. Better
Local data and reporting will help us understand and
Management of emerging chemical pollutants, especially
If international literature is unavailable,
The compounds could then be prioritized for
research.”
There is no conflict between
interest.
Professor Sally Gaw, Director
Environmental Science, School of Physical and Chemical
Sciences, University of Canterbury
comments:
“The PCE report highlights the fact that we
Do not have enough knowledge about the types of and quantities of
chemicals entering Aotearoa|New Zealand. This is a significant
Data gaps limit our ability to protect ourselves and be proactive
Taonga species and human well-being Implementing the
Recommendations by Parliamentary Commissioners
Strengthening regulatory processes to include a common
Framework for assessing chemicals, and an inventory
New Zealand along with the|New Zealand along with the
The development of environmental exposure limits would be a good idea.
A significant step forward in managing of
chemicals.
“Our way to live is dependent upon a vast array of factors.”
Various chemicals, including those found in manufactured
products. Protective measures are urgently required.
Our communities and ecosystems are protected from adverse impacts
Chemical use and to avoid leaving behind historic documents
Legacy of environmental contamination for the future
generations.
Statement on Conflict of Interest: “I was.”
A reviewer of the
report.”
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