National Action Plan for Addressing Dioxins in Australia

National Dioxins Program – National Action Plan for addressing dioxins in AustraliaBiota• Subject to resources, the Australian Government to give consideration to undertaking furtherstudies of biota in order to assess whether source directed measures are having the desiredeffect in lowering dioxin levels in the environment.Wastes• Where information identifies environmental or human health risks from dioxins in waterrecycling and biosolids activities, governments to consider including a level for dioxins whenundertaking a future update of the National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS):o Guidelines for Water Recycling – Managing Health and Environmental Riskso Guidelines for Sewerage Systems – Biosolids Management• Governments to consider including a level for dioxins when undertaking a review of theNWQMS Guidelines for Sewerage Systems: Acceptance of Trade Waste (Industrial Waste)1994.• Governments to take into account the Stockholm Convention Best Available Techniques andBest Environmental Practices guidance for production of pulp when new mills ormodifications to existing mills are proposed.• Governments to set a level for dioxins in fertilisers and industrial residues when applied toland for soil amelioration purposes.• No further action required at this time to amend the level of dioxins and furans in re-refinedbase oil.• Governments to continue the removal from use and destruction of scheduled wastes inaccordance with the three plans under the National Strategy for the Management of ScheduledWaste.• Governments to ensure that the Stockholm Convention guidance on Best AvailableTechniques and Best Environmental Practices is considered in selecting the process to treat theHCB waste so as to prevent or minimise the formation and release of dioxins.National Pollutant Inventory• Governments to consider reporting dioxins in toxic equivalents (TEQs) under the NationalPollutant Inventory.Human intake• Governments to continue with existing programs that discourage cigarette smoking andpromote lower saturated fat intake.• Government to continue to promote the health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the age ofsix months, then the introduction of complementary foods and continued breastfeedingthereafter.• Subject to resources, governments to consider periodically monitoring the population burdenof dioxins in order to assess whether risk reduction strategies are having the desired effect inlowering dioxin levels in humans.7