BALTIC SEAENVIRONMENT PROCEEDINGS No. 59 - Helcom

- nutrient balance, including fertilization rates
- Best Environmental Practice ( BEP ) in relation to Good Agricultural Practice
( GAP) and the definition of ” Ecological Agriculture ”
- impact of agricultural practice on biodiversity
- agricultural use of sewage sludge.
Foresrry is a sector where we now should draw advantage from the agriculture
recommendations in order to consider the relevance for that area. This is an item
which will need more attention in the future.
Traffic is an important source for diffuse emissions and perhaps one of the more
difficult one to handle. The reason for this is the economical impact and the political
consequences of strict recommendations. However, the Group decided that the scope
of future recommendations should cover in addition to NO,, PAH and hydrocarbons,
also CO, and CO emissions.
Stove/jrepZaces present an increased part of individual heating units and this fact
might raise the problem of air emissions of toxic and carcinogenic substances from
uncontrolled household combustion.
Mercury- and cadmium-containing products. There are different activities going on
aiming at reduction of heavy metals. These include thermometers, electric equipments
and batteries. A new recommendation for batteries has recently been adopted that
relates to mercury, cadmium and lead. The main message in the recommendation is
that collection systems should be implemented and that substitutes should be
encouraged to the extent possible.
Matters related to harmful substances ( TC Chem )
The aim of this sub Group is to identify new candidates for consideration for further
actions. The Helcom Waiting List of Chemicals should be the basis for this work,
The selection would probably be based on inherent properties as well as potential for
exposure. What we are looking for are chemicals that might have a negative impact
on the Baltic. Properties to take into account are high aquatic toxicity, persistence,
potential for bioaccumulation etc. Moreover chemicals used in high volume as well
as with routes of application that imply potential for high environmental exposure
should also be considered.
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