Consumption
of household toxic chemicals
TX-9
Dispersion
of Toxic Substances
Pressure
1 Indicator
definition and unit of measurement
The
total amounts of consumed toxic chemicals by the household sector on a yearly
basis (unit: tonnes/year). Household toxic chemicals consist of biocides,
solvents, detergents, paints, varnish etc.
2 Placement
in the framework
5EAP:
Chapter
6: Management of risks and accidents, section 6.1: Industry-related risks.
Agenda
21:
Chapter
19: Environmentally-sound management of toxic chemicals, including prevention
of illegal international traffic of toxic and dangerous products (section F).
International
conventions and agreements:
A
protocol on atmospheric transboundary transport of persistent organic
pollutants is presently being negotiated under the UNECE LRTAP (Geneva, 1979).
Ranking:
Core
ranking:
9
(15%)
Policy
Relevance:
17
(2.7)
Analytical
Soundness:
21
(2.5)
Responsiveness:
7
(2.7)
Most
appropriate related state indicator:
Accumulated
amounts of toxic chemicals in relevant recipients to the household sector.
3 Significance
Purpose:
This
indicator represents the total consumption of toxic chemicals by the household
sector. Better knowledge of used amounts helps activities aiming at reducing
consumption and in that way decreasing emissions.
Relevance:
Toxic
chemicals are consumed and used. Subsequent emissions will take place during
their whole life cycle, from production, use and waste treatment.
Linkages
to other pressure indicators:
This
indicator is linked to TX-3: Consumption of toxic chemicals by economic activity.
Targets:
None.
4 Methodological
description and underlying definitions
Underlying
definitions and concepts:
”Toxic”
is not a precise term. For instance, toxicity may cause acute effects,
reproductional effects or genotoxic effects, all operating at different time
scales.
Measurement
methods:
This
indicator will be the result of surveys on sales statistics.
Limitations
of the indicator:
To
reduce emissions of toxic chemicals is the most important task. The relation
between consumption and emissions is not totally clear. Household toxic
chemicals have many different fields of application which make it difficult to
suggest relevant recipients. The compounds in the group of household toxic
chemicals have different toxic effects and potentials (see 4. Underlying
definitions and concepts). The indicator does not take these differences into
account.
Alternative
definitions:
Emissions
due to consumption of household toxic chemicals (unit: tonnes/year), see 4.
Limitations of the indicator.
