AIT hosts pollutants workshop
Interested persons are invited to participate in a workshop on persistant organic pollutants at the Asian Institute of Technology's campus in Pathumthani. The 'Workshop on the Asian Research Programme on Persistent Organic Pollutants' takes place from 31 May to 1 June 2006 at AIT Conference Center, Room B 108.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are long-lived chemicals that cycle between the different environmental compartments and are capable of traveling long distances, thus becoming ubiquitous global pollutants. Asia is the world's largest producer and consumer of many POPs chemicals. Asia faces a frightening scenario of historic, current and potential poisoning by the most dangerous variety of POPs. Currently there are virtually no policies being formulated in Asia regarding persistent organic pollutant management.
The Asian Regional Research Programme on Environmental Technology Phase II (ARRPET II) is embarking on a new initiative to research these pollutants and is hosting the workshop as a way to identify existing gaps in management of POPs in Asian countries. A number of stakeholders and policy experts prominent in technical as well as social fields will be attending the workshop from Asian and European countries, namely: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan and Sweden.
ARRPET was initiated in 2001 to conduct a study to assess the growing concern on environmental degradation in Asia. ARRPET II began as a way to apply the results of the first program and is funded through 2007 by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.
Research in ARRPET II focuses on treatment and management of domestic as well as agro-based industrial wastewaters; pressing air pollution issues relevant to the Asian developing countries; enhancing solid waste disposal practices and landfill technology for efficient and effective solid waste management in the region; and removal of toxic and hazardous compounds from industrial discharges.
To attend this workshop, please contact Prof. Ajit P. Annachhatre, ajit@ait.ac.th , Tel/Fax: 02 524-5644.