Pro-env't group rallies support for elimination of 'disease-causing' PCBs

Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition (EWC) has called on the public to support a government-led initiative that seeks to eliminate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) — a highly toxic and disease-causing chemical used in old electrical equipment such as transformers and capacitors.

In a statement, the EWC urged stakeholders to rally behind the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to achieve the country's "PCB-free" target by 2025. The statement was issued last Wednesday, Feb. 16, to mark the 18th year of the promulgation of the Chemical Control Order (CCO) for PCBs.

"The said CCO is the principal regulatory enforcement framework to comply with the country's obligations on PCBs under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) to which the Philippines is a party. This major multilateral chemical treaty has set a 2025 target to phase out the use of PCBs in equipment and a 2028 target to eliminate PCBs," the group said.

The DENR earlier banned the importation of PCB and PCB-containing equipment on March 19, 2004 in line with the promulgation of the CCO on Feb. 16, 2004.

The EWC explained that PCBs remain intact for a long time, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and bio-concentrate in the food chain. It enters the body by consuming contaminated food or water, inhalation, and skin contact.

After entering the body, PCBs interfere with hormones' actions, suppress the immune system, cause reproductive failure, and increase the risk of cancer, it added.

"With 2025 not too far away, we urge all concerned sectors, especially electric utilities, and cooperatives, and other PCB owners, to remain on track and complete the phase-out of PCB use in equipment and to ensure the non-incineration destruction of our country's PCB stockpiles," EcoWaste Coalition Chemical Safety Campaigner Thony Dizon said.

"Let us rally behind the government's action to make PCB pollution history," he added.