Hazardous materials can be managed, says environment expert

Abu Dhabi: Minimising risks due to hazardous materials is of vital importance from both the public health perspective and the point of view of the environment, a government official said.

Speaking to Gulf News in an exclusive interview, Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) emphasised the importance of monitoring hazardous materials throughout their life cycle.

The EAD has put in place strong regulatory practices to conduct inspections at facilities where hazardous materials are handled and to monitor incoming shipments at various entry points in the emirate.

Chances of accidents related to hazardous materials such as chemical spills, fires at storage facilities, etc, can never be entirely ruled out, Al Mansouri said, making a case for precautions at every step.

GULF NEWS: Why is it essential to strictly monitor hazardous materials and what is being done by the government in this regard?

Al Mansouri: EAD is committed to protect and conserve the environment, and to protect and promote human health and safety for all inhabitants of the Emirate. Hazardous materials pose a high risk to human health and the environment if improperly handled, used, transported, or stored.

Hence there is a need for a preventive approach to reduce the risk of fire and discharge into the environment. This can be achieved by establishing a proper system to manage the handling of such materials. This is why the executive council set up a Permanent Committee for Hazardous Materials Management in December 2008. The committee also suggests and implements the necessary procedures where necessary besides evaluating risk potential.

Members include Abu Dhabi Police, civil defence, free zone authority, municipality, transportation department, SEHA (Abu Dhabi Health Services Company), Abu Dhabi Customs, Department of Finance and Supreme Petroleum Council.

The Federal Law and its executive by-laws issue clear directions on the control and monitoring of hazardous materials by the concerned authorities. EAD is the designated environmental authority which implements and applies this law to all hazardous material handlers and their facilities. We also ensure full compliance with international and regional conventions ratified or approved by the UAE regarding the management of hazardous materials.

The Executive Council recently approved the launching of a unit to track radioactive materials. Radiation monitoring gates have already been installed at the border of Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and at Ghuwaifat checkpoints. Twelve people are undergoing training to take up responsibility of the unit.

What types of materials come under the hazardous materials category?

Hazardous materials may be classified under the UN classification system as ozone-depleting substances, pesticides, radioactive materials, narcotics, etc. Most of these materials require either import permits or prior approval from competent local or federal authorities.

Have there been any cases of accidents in the past related to these materials?

Incidents related to hazardous materials do occur. Examples of such incidents are chemical spills, fires at storage facilities and seepage from landfills.

In the unfortunate event of such an accident, what procedures are in place to contain it?

EAD has an Emergency Response Unit. Apart from following its emergency response procedures, it coordinates with other local stakeholders (for example the civil defence, police, Rapid Intervention Unit) in responding to such incidents and taking the proper control measures for the protection of the environment and society.

Our role is to advise the importing agency on the chemical and physical characteristics of the material being brought in and appropriate storage conditions. We are currently establishing an electronic system for registration with the EAD and to follow up on the movement of hazardous materials.

How many hazardous material shipments were sanctioned by EAD last year across different entry points?

We sanctioned 31,223 shipments last year and seven were rejected. We also sanctioned 978 radioactive material shipments to be used for industrial purposes.

What was the nature of the rejected shipments?

Three of the rejected shipments were of used tyres, two were of used plastic items, one of used oil and one was a consignment of ozone-depleting substances imported without the approval of the Federal Environment Agency.

Which are the industries that use these radioactive substances?

Radioactive materials are used for industrial purposes as well as in medical facilities. Users include the oil and gas industry and their related facilities as well as in metal pipe industries and hospitals.

How does EAD monitor these materials?

Last year, 113 inspection visits to facilities dealing with hazardous materials were conducted. Another 111 inspections were conducted on pesticide-related facilities. As part of control operations, 74 inspection visits were made to establishments handling radioactive materials and 12 warning letters were subsequently issued to non-compliant facilities.