Report (Part 3): Sustainable Development Convention 2002

IPM: Pollution Management

Time: 30 October 2002, 13:30-14:30 Location: Salle B Chair: Enga Luye, IPM, BELAIR Presenters/ Participants: Enga Luye, IPM, BELAIR
Werner Kasel, IBEX Investment Group
Phaik Morgenthaler, University of Lausanne
Thomas Kupper, EPFL Reporter: Simon Hetherington (ICVolunteers) Languages: English Key words: Pollution, integrated pollution management, belair, DNA

In this workshop, presenters looked at pollution, stating how it affects human DNA and the biochemistry of soil samples. They agreed that pollution is a major problem, which can only be successfully addressed through integrated pollution management.

Mr. Enga Luye representing BELAIR, first outlined the objectives of the project. To do so, he brought forward two main questions: Where does pollution come from? What is integrated pollution management (IPM) about? He stated that a new approach to pollution management needs to be based on an overall picture. When dealing with IPM, it is important not to simply transfer the pollution problem from one location or area to another. A starting point for IPM is to answer three questions: 1) where 2) who 3) what? Once these questions answered, the solution design may take one to two years.

Mr. Luye further pointed out that there is a need for scientific evidence linking human illnesses and pollution. He explained that this was the motivating factor that had lead to a partnership between BELAIR and the University of Lausanne.

Ms. Phaik Morgenthaler of the University of Lausanne then described how all human beings are governed by DNA. She explained that exogenous factors are the cause of mutations. One of those exogenous factors could be pollution. She expressed her particular interested in the health risks caused by pollution and explained that she is using mutational spectrometry to fingerprint genetic effects of pollution and is comparing the mutation spectra from laboratory cultures and humans.

Ms. Morgenthaler carried on the workshop by talking about the need for an up to now non existing human database, which would allow to measure how efficient current clean up processes are.

The final speaker of this session, Thomas Kupper of EPFL, then spoke about the bio-chemicals found in soil samples and how one would be able to detect these. He stressed the importance of a monitoring network enabling rapid measures in case of a sharp rise of pollution levels.

Conclusions
Pollution has become an increasingly serious problem and there needs to be a change both in how we deal with new and old pollution. There are many ways to combat pollution, but it takes time and a lot of financial means. It is only through integrated pollution management structures and systems that an effective strategy can be formulated.