The United Nations Prohibits Nine Chemicals     

From May 4th to May 8th in 2009, representatives from about 150 countries worldwide gathered in Geneva, Switzerland and attended a conference held by the United Nations Environment Program. In the meeting, they unanimously agreed to phase out the use and production of nine categories of chemicals which are still widely used in various pesticides and flame retardants and included them in the "Stockholm Convention on POPs" list.
   The nine categories are alpha-benzene hexachloride and beta-benzene hexachloride, hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabro-modiphenyl ether, tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether, kepone, hexabromobiphenyl, lindane, pentachloro-benzene, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorootanesulforyl fluoride. Of these, the first seven categories of chemicals must be taken out of production and use completely within a year unless specific exemptions are granted for extended production and use, while the last two categories will continue be used for some limited purposes because no substitute exists. However, the use of these two categories must be assessed regularly for safety.