PR/E03/99
UNU symposium will look at
Pollution by Endocrine Disruptors in East Asia
9-10 February, UNU Headquarters
The United Nations University (UNU) will hold a symposium on “Environmental Governance and Analytical Techniques – Environmental Issues Related to EDC Pollution in East Asia” on 9–10 February 1999 at the UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. This symposium, organized by the UNU in cooperation with the International Association for Environmental Analytical Chemistry (IAEAC) and the Shimadzu Corporation, marks the successful completion of a three-year UNU project on Environmental Monitoring and Analysis in the East Asian Region sponsored by the Shimadzu Corporation.The symposium will highlight issues related to pollution by Endocrine Disruptor Compounds (EDCs) in coastal areas of the East Asian region. These coastal areas are at risk of pollution from land-based sources, which can be many and varied. EDC pollutants are of particular concern since they are intrinsically resistant to natural degradation processes and thus persist and accumulate in the environment.
EDCs include a broad range of chemicals that can interfere with the normal functioning of metabolic, growth, and reproductive hormones in humans and animals. Ongoing research has revealed that several animal species in the coastal hydrosphere are suffering adverse health effects from exposure to EDCs.
Leading experts on EDC pollution will present the most recent research on the subject. Seminar speakers will include representatives and researchers from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); the UN Environment Programme (UNEP); the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Japan’s Environment Agency, National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), and National Institute for Resources and Environment (NIRE); the Chemical Industry Institute of Technology (CIIT); and leading universities.
The symposium on 9 February is open to the public, and English-Japanese interpretation will be provided. Participation on 10 February is by invitation only.
Media representatives are cordially invited to attend both days. A copy of the programme is attached here.
* * * For further information, please contact:
UNU Public Affairs Section
Tel.: (03) 5467–1243, –1246
Fax: (03) 3406–7346.
