Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 2007
BACKGROUND AND SCOPE: Since its inception two decades ago, the concept of sustainable development... more BACKGROUND AND SCOPE: Since its inception two decades ago, the concept of sustainable development has suffered from a proliferation of definitions, such that it has increasingly come to mean many things to many different people. This has limited its credibility, called into question its practical application and the significance of associated achievements and, overall, limited the progress in environmental and social developments which it was designed to underpin.GOAL: This viewpoint article is intended to re-open the concept of sustainable development for discussion 20 years on from the Brundtland Report, in the context of the current state of the world, our growing understanding of ecosystems and their response to stressors and the parallel increase in recognition of inherent limitations to that understanding.APPROACH: Following a brief review of the diverse manner in which the concept has developed over time, we present the case for application of a series of simple conditions for sustainability, originally developed by The Natural Step in the early 90s, which nevertheless still provide a sound basis on which progress towards sustainable development could be monitored. The paper also highlights the unavoidable links between sustainability and ethics, including those in the sensitive fields of population and quality of life.DISCUSSION: Overall we argue the need for the concept of sustainable development to be reclaimed from the plethora of economically-focused or somewhat vague and un-measurable definitions which have found increasing favour in recent years and which all too often accompany relatively minor progress against 'business as usual'.RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: The vision encapsulated in the Brundtland Report was ground-breaking. If, however, true sustainability in human interactions with the biosphere is to be realised, a far stronger and more empirical interpretation of the original intent is urgently required. To be effective, such an interpretation must encompass and guide developments in political instruments and public policy as well as corporate decision-making, and must focus increasingly on addressing the root causes of major threats to sustainability rather than just their consequences.
Environmetal Science and Pollution Research International, Apr 1, 2000
This study was intended to provide data on the composition of soft PVC toys, addressing the wides... more This study was intended to provide data on the composition of soft PVC toys, addressing the widest practicable range of chemical additives and including non-phthalate additives. The study also included toys from as many countries as possible, since for many, no data were available. A total of 72 toys were purchased in 17 countries. The majority (64) were PVC or had PVC sections. In almost all the soft PVC toys analysed, phthalates comprised a sizeable proportion (most frequently 10-40%) of the total weight of the toy. The predominant phthalates detected were diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Other phthalates identified in high concentrations in some toys include isomeric mixes of diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP). The estrogenic chemical nonylphenol was isolated from 13 toys, while 2 toys were found to contain the fungicide Fungitrol 11 (Folpet). 78% of PVC toys contained one or more extractable organic compounds in addition to those reported above.
Background. Preparation of the new European REACH (Regis- tration, Evaluation and Authorisation o... more Background. Preparation of the new European REACH (Regis- tration, Evaluation and Authorisation of CHemicals) regulation on chemicals has reached a critical stage. Depending on how key elements of the legislative proposal are finalised, especially that on authorisation of uses of 'substances of very high con- cern', REACH could either provide an effective measure to drive innovation towards cleaner and safer
Summary The aluminium refinery which Greenpeace Japan investigated in Japan discharges waste effl... more Summary The aluminium refinery which Greenpeace Japan investigated in Japan discharges waste effluents to a collection channel which subsequently flow in to an open creek and, ultimately to the sea. Processes employed at the refinery, in particular the use of hexachloroethane (HCE) as a degassing agent, result in the release of a complex waste stream which was found to contain a wide range of organic and heavy metal contaminants at levels greatly elevated above background. Among the organic compounds discharged, the organochlorines, including HCB, HCBD and HCE itself, are the most significant as a consequence of their high toxicity, persistence and ability to bioaccumulate. Such discharges have led to accumulation of organochlorines and heavy metals, including lead, copper and chromium, to extremely high levels in sediments within the effluent channel and, in turn, to contamination of the waters and sediments of the creek downstream from the plant. Levels of dioxin (I-TEQ) in sedime...
2012). The teratogenicity and behavioral teratogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and ... more 2012). The teratogenicity and behavioral teratogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP) in a chick model. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 34(1): 56-62 Ahad JME, Ganeshram RS, Bryant CL, Cisneros-Dozal LM, Ascough PL, Fallick AE, Slater GF (2011). Sources of n-alkanes in an urbanized estuary: Insights from molecular distributions and compound-specific stable and radiocarbon isotopes Marine Chemistry 126(1-4): 239-249
Two samples were taken of waste water discharging from the pipe in front of the VCM tanks; MI6107... more Two samples were taken of waste water discharging from the pipe in front of the VCM tanks; MI6107 from immediately below the pipe and; MI6111 from the same channel but further down shore from the point of discharge.
below relate to the CSTEE's opinion and the quality of the underlying research on which that ... more below relate to the CSTEE's opinion and the quality of the underlying research on which that opinion is based. 2. In its response to the two questions posed by the European Commission, the CSTEE firstly concluded that the validation studies, involving the use of three methods by more than 15 laboratories (in both USA and Europe) were of "good scientific quality", although some important information was missing regarding the rationale for the absence of certain data from some laboratories. More significantly from the perspective of the validation of methods for use as the basis of regulations, the CSTEE concluded that the repeatability (within lab variation) and reproducibility (between lab variation) of one of the methods (namely the head over heals, or HoH, extraction method developed by TNO, Netherlands) were "good" and "acceptable" respectively. In turn, this implies that in the view of the CSTEE, the HoH method might be considered as a sound bas...
International Journal of Environment and Pollution
Oils rendered from whole fish and from fish offal are an important primary dietary item in many a... more Oils rendered from whole fish and from fish offal are an important primary dietary item in many areas of the world. In addition, fish oils are used extensively in the food industry as raw materials and ingredients. An extensive specialist market also exists for fish oils in dietary supplements. Traditionally, benefits have been conferred by their high vitamin D content in the prevention and cure of rickets in children. Therapeutic benefits in the treatment of cardiovascular, arthritic and dermatological disease have also been identified. Fish oils, however, are also susceptible to contamination with lipophilic organic chemicals. Many organochlorine chemicals are now ubiquitous contaminants of marine ecosystems. This paper reports analytical results for a selection of commercially available and industrial grade fish oil samples, compares the values with historical samples, and discusses their potential contribution to dietary intakes of organochlorine chemicals.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 2007
BACKGROUND AND SCOPE: Since its inception two decades ago, the concept of sustainable development... more BACKGROUND AND SCOPE: Since its inception two decades ago, the concept of sustainable development has suffered from a proliferation of definitions, such that it has increasingly come to mean many things to many different people. This has limited its credibility, called into question its practical application and the significance of associated achievements and, overall, limited the progress in environmental and social developments which it was designed to underpin.GOAL: This viewpoint article is intended to re-open the concept of sustainable development for discussion 20 years on from the Brundtland Report, in the context of the current state of the world, our growing understanding of ecosystems and their response to stressors and the parallel increase in recognition of inherent limitations to that understanding.APPROACH: Following a brief review of the diverse manner in which the concept has developed over time, we present the case for application of a series of simple conditions for sustainability, originally developed by The Natural Step in the early 90s, which nevertheless still provide a sound basis on which progress towards sustainable development could be monitored. The paper also highlights the unavoidable links between sustainability and ethics, including those in the sensitive fields of population and quality of life.DISCUSSION: Overall we argue the need for the concept of sustainable development to be reclaimed from the plethora of economically-focused or somewhat vague and un-measurable definitions which have found increasing favour in recent years and which all too often accompany relatively minor progress against 'business as usual'.RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: The vision encapsulated in the Brundtland Report was ground-breaking. If, however, true sustainability in human interactions with the biosphere is to be realised, a far stronger and more empirical interpretation of the original intent is urgently required. To be effective, such an interpretation must encompass and guide developments in political instruments and public policy as well as corporate decision-making, and must focus increasingly on addressing the root causes of major threats to sustainability rather than just their consequences.
Environmetal Science and Pollution Research International, Apr 1, 2000
This study was intended to provide data on the composition of soft PVC toys, addressing the wides... more This study was intended to provide data on the composition of soft PVC toys, addressing the widest practicable range of chemical additives and including non-phthalate additives. The study also included toys from as many countries as possible, since for many, no data were available. A total of 72 toys were purchased in 17 countries. The majority (64) were PVC or had PVC sections. In almost all the soft PVC toys analysed, phthalates comprised a sizeable proportion (most frequently 10-40%) of the total weight of the toy. The predominant phthalates detected were diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Other phthalates identified in high concentrations in some toys include isomeric mixes of diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP). The estrogenic chemical nonylphenol was isolated from 13 toys, while 2 toys were found to contain the fungicide Fungitrol 11 (Folpet). 78% of PVC toys contained one or more extractable organic compounds in addition to those reported above.
Background. Preparation of the new European REACH (Regis- tration, Evaluation and Authorisation o... more Background. Preparation of the new European REACH (Regis- tration, Evaluation and Authorisation of CHemicals) regulation on chemicals has reached a critical stage. Depending on how key elements of the legislative proposal are finalised, especially that on authorisation of uses of 'substances of very high con- cern', REACH could either provide an effective measure to drive innovation towards cleaner and safer
Summary The aluminium refinery which Greenpeace Japan investigated in Japan discharges waste effl... more Summary The aluminium refinery which Greenpeace Japan investigated in Japan discharges waste effluents to a collection channel which subsequently flow in to an open creek and, ultimately to the sea. Processes employed at the refinery, in particular the use of hexachloroethane (HCE) as a degassing agent, result in the release of a complex waste stream which was found to contain a wide range of organic and heavy metal contaminants at levels greatly elevated above background. Among the organic compounds discharged, the organochlorines, including HCB, HCBD and HCE itself, are the most significant as a consequence of their high toxicity, persistence and ability to bioaccumulate. Such discharges have led to accumulation of organochlorines and heavy metals, including lead, copper and chromium, to extremely high levels in sediments within the effluent channel and, in turn, to contamination of the waters and sediments of the creek downstream from the plant. Levels of dioxin (I-TEQ) in sedime...
2012). The teratogenicity and behavioral teratogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and ... more 2012). The teratogenicity and behavioral teratogenicity of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP) in a chick model. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 34(1): 56-62 Ahad JME, Ganeshram RS, Bryant CL, Cisneros-Dozal LM, Ascough PL, Fallick AE, Slater GF (2011). Sources of n-alkanes in an urbanized estuary: Insights from molecular distributions and compound-specific stable and radiocarbon isotopes Marine Chemistry 126(1-4): 239-249
Two samples were taken of waste water discharging from the pipe in front of the VCM tanks; MI6107... more Two samples were taken of waste water discharging from the pipe in front of the VCM tanks; MI6107 from immediately below the pipe and; MI6111 from the same channel but further down shore from the point of discharge.
below relate to the CSTEE's opinion and the quality of the underlying research on which that ... more below relate to the CSTEE's opinion and the quality of the underlying research on which that opinion is based. 2. In its response to the two questions posed by the European Commission, the CSTEE firstly concluded that the validation studies, involving the use of three methods by more than 15 laboratories (in both USA and Europe) were of "good scientific quality", although some important information was missing regarding the rationale for the absence of certain data from some laboratories. More significantly from the perspective of the validation of methods for use as the basis of regulations, the CSTEE concluded that the repeatability (within lab variation) and reproducibility (between lab variation) of one of the methods (namely the head over heals, or HoH, extraction method developed by TNO, Netherlands) were "good" and "acceptable" respectively. In turn, this implies that in the view of the CSTEE, the HoH method might be considered as a sound bas...
International Journal of Environment and Pollution
Oils rendered from whole fish and from fish offal are an important primary dietary item in many a... more Oils rendered from whole fish and from fish offal are an important primary dietary item in many areas of the world. In addition, fish oils are used extensively in the food industry as raw materials and ingredients. An extensive specialist market also exists for fish oils in dietary supplements. Traditionally, benefits have been conferred by their high vitamin D content in the prevention and cure of rickets in children. Therapeutic benefits in the treatment of cardiovascular, arthritic and dermatological disease have also been identified. Fish oils, however, are also susceptible to contamination with lipophilic organic chemicals. Many organochlorine chemicals are now ubiquitous contaminants of marine ecosystems. This paper reports analytical results for a selection of commercially available and industrial grade fish oil samples, compares the values with historical samples, and discusses their potential contribution to dietary intakes of organochlorine chemicals.
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Papers by David Santillo