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Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy
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Assessment of Level 1 Substances
SUMMARY OF THE MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT FOR THE LONG-RANGE TRANSPORT CHALLENGE
Pesticides Challange
Challenge Goal Status
The GLBTS established challenge goals for both Canada and the U.S., which call for confirmation that there is no longer use or release of the Level 1[1] pesticides from sources that enter the Great Lakes Basin, and for international coordination in the event that long-range sources are confirmed. Both countries have prepared reports confirming that all pesticide uses for all Level 1 pesticides have been canceled, and production facilities have closed in the U.S. and Canada. Although evidence of purposeful release has not been identified, potential release from contaminated sites and remaining unused stocks is still possible. However, ongoing site remediation and waste pesticide collection programs (e.g., Pine River remediation and Clean Sweeps programs) are in place and have continued to make progress in reducing these potential release sources since the preparation of the challenge reports.
For these reasons, we believe that the U.S. and Canada have met the principal intent of their challenges, even though the statement “...no longer use or release...” cannot be confirmed as long as unused stocks and contaminated sites exist. To address the second part of the Level 1 pesticide challenge goals outlined in the Strategy, the U.S. and Canada continue to support international frameworks concerned with reducing or phasing out use and release of these substances world-wide.
Environmental Assessment
Geographic Distribution, Temporal Perspectives, Criteria
and Risk
Monitoring data are available on the Level 1 pesticides in fish, herring gull eggs, bivalves, water and sediments, air, food, and human body burdens. Criteria have been developed for fish, sediments, water, and food. These criteria are intended to protect certain populations (e.g., human health, wildlife) or uses (e.g., swimming, drinking water) against unsafe levels of the Level 1 pesticides. Preliminary analyses of available data show exceedances in many areas. Some examples include:
- Fish: Measured concentrations of all of the Level 1 pesticides in Great Lakes fish tissue exceed at least one of the available criteria for the protection of human health; toxaphene levels in larger Lake Superior fish are also high and the cause of fish consumption advisories.
- Eighty-five fish consumption advisories have been issued in the Great Lakes states and
- Ontario due to chlordane, DDT, mirex, and toxaphene.
- Water: Concentrations of dieldrin, DDT, and toxaphene in most of the Lake waters exceed the GLI water quality guidance criteria for the protection of human health.
- Sediments: Dieldrin and DDT exceeded sediment guidelines associated with probable or severe effects in aquatic life; aldrin and mirex exceeded criteria values representing lowest effect levels.
Overall, the Level 1 pesticides remain ubiquitous in the Great Lakes environment, and at concentrations that may be of concern for both humans and wildlife.
With regard to trends, available data show that Level 1 pesticides have generally declined over the past twenty years in Great Lakes Basin media. However, due to their persistence and long environmental retention times, declines of the Level 1 pesticides in the Great Lakes environment are slow.
Sources of Pesticides
The Level 1 pesticides have been canceled, production facilities have been closed, and intentional releases have been effectively controlled in the U.S. and Canada. The principal remaining sources of the Level 1 pesticides in the Great Lakes Basin are reservoir sources, including sediments, soils, and localized contaminated industrial sites (Superfund sites). Over 100 National Priority List sites within the eight Great Lakes states show contamination by one or more of the Level 1 pesticides. In addition, ongoing Clean Sweeps collections suggest that significant stored quantities of the Level 1 pesticides exist in the Great Lakes Basin, and thus could represent potential future sources if not stored or disposed of properly. Although available evidence does not suggest new or ongoing sources of Level 1 pesticides in the Great Lakes, the contribution of long- range sources (international and regional) may require further investigation. Continued production and use of the Level 1 pesticides has been reported in India, China, Argentina, and possibly Mexico and Central America.
Management Assessment
Current programs exist to address remaining sources of the Level 1 pesticides in the Basin. These include regulations and activities to reduce remaining stockpiles (e.g., Clean Sweeps conducted at the state and local levels), target reservoir sources (e.g., government remediation activities), and support international programs (e.g., the Stockholm Convention).
Management Outcome
The final management outcome is to suspend GLBTS workgroup activities, and to refer source reduction efforts to state and local Clean Sweep programs and existing government environmental remediation activities. Further reductions in pesticide contamination in the Great Lakes environment will occur over time. The GLBTS will also continue to advocate its interests in international fora (including those targeting pesticide phase out and disposal). A periodic reassessment (e.g., at intervals sufficient to elucidate trends) will be undertaken using the General Framework to Assess Management of GLBTS Level 1 Substances, until the Parties determine that virtual elimination has been reached.