The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) is the Arctic Council’s environmental monitoring programme. The Arctic Council is a forum for co-operation between Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faeroes), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the USA. The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) leads the Norwegian participation in AMAP.

Worrying levels
The new report confirms previous surveys of worrying levels of hazardous substances in animals at the top of the food chain, such as polar bears, seals and seabirds. Indigenous peoples in parts of the Arctic are among the most affected in the world, due to their lifestyle and diet.

Worrying levels of various substances – such as spray chemicals, PCBs and brominated flame retardants – are found in breast milk and blood. The content of PCBs and certain spray chemicals exceeds national and international guidelines for levels of concern and/or levels of action in a number of indigenous communities. Many countries are now working on dietary advice on the basis of the new results.

Long-range transport of contaminants
Most of the substances come from sources far outside the Arctic. The levels of some substances are falling as a result of reduced emissions, and for some substances the levels remain unchanged, but flame retardant substances (for example) are increasing. Data from Arctic Canada shows that the levels of brominated flame retardants have more than doubled since 2000. ‘Brominated flame retardants’ is the term for a group of chemicals which are used in a number of different types of products to make them less flammable. There are over 70 of these substances on the market.

Ban on two brominated flame retardants
Both Norway and the EU have passed bans on the use and sale of the two most dangerous brominated flame retardants, penta- and octa-BDE (BromoDiphenyl Ether) from 1st July and 15th August 2004 respectively. Another type, deca-BDE, is at present being discussed in the EU’s programme for risk assessment and a Norwegian ban is under consideration.

The Norwegian Action Plan for the Reduction of Emissions of Brominated Flame Retardants also includes other measures such as improved control of collection and waste handling, and the dissemination and gathering of information. Moreover, a project to reduce emissions of brominated flame retardants in the Arctic countries is planned. Norway (through the SFT) will lead the work. 

Hazardous substances in sea areas near Russia
The highest levels of the hazardous substance PCB are found in polar bears near Svalbard and near the coast of North/West Russia. New sources of spray chemicals (DDT and toxaphene) have been detected in areas of Norwegian sea neighbouring Russia. This indicates local use of these substances or leakages from old stores. Relatively high concentration of dioxin have also been found in reindeer meat and hare meat on the Kola Peninsula. This is probably caused by the smelting plants in the area.

Arctic action plan
The Arctic Council Action Plan to Eliminate Pollution of the Arctic (ACAP) was established as a result of the high levels of hazardous substances in the Arctic. The programme consists of specific co-operative projects which will lead to measurable reductions in emissions of such substances. Norway led the work until the end of the year, when the USA took over. In addition to the eight Arctic member countries, organisations of indigenous peoples, the Netherlands, UNEP Chemicals and the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) also take part.

Further reading:

• AMAP Assessment 2002: Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Arctic (PDF file)    
• Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP)    
• Action plan for the reduction of emissions of brominated flame retardants

Questions may be directed to:

• AMAP secretariat: Lars Otto Reiersen 
  Telephone: +47 23 24 16 32, e-mail: lars-otto.reiersen@amap.no    
• SFT: Gunnar Futsæter, Consultant, Section for Environmental Data
  Telephone: +47 22 57 34 49, e-mail: gunnar.futsater@sft.no