Thursday, March 3, 2022, 2:01 p.m.
Press Release The Environment Commissioner for Parliament
The Parliamentary Commissioner for
Simon Upton, Environment, proposes changes to the way we think about environment
New Zealand manages chemicals in order to ensure their safety
Environmental impacts should not be overlooked
On paper
A robust system is in place for assessing risks when there is no other way.
Chemicals are introduced to the country. However, there are many chemicals.
That have been in use for many decades have not been harmed.
Close examination. Many of their environmental impacts are well-documented.
The Commissioner states in a report that the impact has changed
Today’s release.
The rules for how a chemical is can be
It shouldn’t be static. We need to be able.
As new information becomes available, adapt.
light.
Restrictions should be based upon the most recent information
Science informed by New Zealand-specific information on use
impact.
The Report,
Regulating the environment: Knowing what’s out there
Chemical fateThe study found that there are many gaps in the system.
We monitor chemicals in our environment and how they are used
Interpret their impact on living creatures.
The
Monitoring that is done is not very effective. There is very little feedback.
Chemical management system, which determines how chemicals will be used.
They are used.
Some chemicals may not have a high level of toxicities.
Level of concern: There is much we don’t know.
Chemicals in the environment: How much?
They are used, where they’re used, and what their effects are
The Commissioner stated that it was.
Finding out after
The environment has suffered irreversible impacts from chemicals
It’s too late.
The Commissioner proposes that all
Mori and agencies dealing with chemicals also develop a
A common framework to better manage environmental impacts
Chemical use
This framework should be prioritized
Action taken on contaminants that pose the greatest threat based on
The potential for how much a chemical has been used
It could cause environmental harm, and how big it could be
Being detected in the surrounding environment.
To determine the scale
The Commissioner will investigate a chemical use in New Zealand.
Recommendations include collecting and reporting data throughout the year.
Chemical lifecycle. Importers would be required to do this.
Manufacturers and sellers of chemicals must report
chemical quantities.
If we know what is being used,
We can then determine the regional distribution of this use.
Our environmental monitoring should be organised to match the scale of
He said that chemical use is prohibited.
There are more than 30,000
Chemicals approved for use in the country but not internationally
Around 200 chemicals are routinely tested
for.
Although we can’t test every ecosystem,
Chemical in New Zealand: We can do more to target those of
Highest potential risk to the environment
We also
Need to do a better task of defining acceptable limits
Monitor concentrations of chemicals and their monitoring
Whether these levels are being exceeded.
To assist
These are the goals that the Commissioner would like to see more of.
Environmental exposure limits and better guidance
Monitoring at a regional and national level
scale.
Monitoring guidance should include the scope
Monitoring and development frequency
Implementation of Mori cultural monitoring
In a
If chemicals are used in their intended way, it would be a perfect world
Approved for use taking into consideration their likely
Environmental fate is more than what we see or find in the
Environment should be at acceptable levels. However, theory is not enough.
Reality rarely matches fiction.
These are the things we can do if we do these
We should be able make adjustments to the system to see when
When problems arise, you can modify the conditions to get new information.
arises.
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