The United Nations University’s (UNU) project on Environmental Monitoring and Analysis in the East Asian Region will hold a symposium titled "Environmental Governance and Analytical Techniques: Air Pollution and Air Quality Monitoring" on 13 February 1998 (Friday), from 10.00 to 17.30 hours at Kyoto International Conference Hall.

The purpose of the symposium is to bring together air pollution experts to discuss health and environmental issues. The latest techniques used in monitoring air quality will also be reviewed. During the symposium, numerous prominent air pollution scientists will make presentations. The following are four examples:

• Keiichiro Fuwa, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at the University of Tokyo and UNU Project Coordinator, will present a report that describes the extent of environmental degradation in East Asia.
• Nobuo Takeda, Professor of Chemistry at Kyoto University, will explain how airborne dioxins and other harmful compounds are measured in Japan.
• Michael Papp, from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, will discuss air pollution monitoring methods used in the United States.
• Dieter Schwela, Air Pollution Scientist from the World Health Organization, will talk about why air quality standards need to become uniform around the world.

UNU researchers working on the project are trying to accomplish three goals: generate regional environmental data, adopt a "level-up" capacity-building approach in participating laboratories and conduct compliance research on the region’s environmental accords. Scientists are participating from China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taipei, Thailand and Viet Nam. The project is now in its third and final year. Japan’s Shimadzu Corporation has been providing equipment and financial support. The project has also been supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The symposium is open to the public and admission is free. Simultaneous English-Japanese interpretation will be provided.

Media representatives are cordially invited to attend.

* * * More information about the symposium can be found by visiting the UNU Global Environmental Information Centre’s website located at http://www.geic.or.jp/landbase. Additional information can also be obtained by contacting the UNU Public Affairs Section at:

Tel.: (03) 5467-1243 or -1246
Fax: (03)3406-7346

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