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Chemical safety in Hungary
FEATURE
Chemical safety in Hungary This paper is a summary of current status and progress made in chemical safety in Hungary over the last 10 years. It is based in part on a report by a team of experts headed by Professor Dr. Gyo¨rgy Ungva´ry, Director General of the Jozsef Fodor National Center of Public Health in Budapest Hungary and a former member of the Board of Editors of the Journal of Chemical Health and Safety.
By Douglas B. Walters
INTRODUCTION
The first National Profile of Chemical Safety in Hungary was prepared in 1997.1 The National profile was the first document in Hungary to summarize the efforts of governmental and non-governmental organizations to promote chemical safety and the sound management of chemicals. The National Profile provides an overview of the cradle to grave (i.e., import, production, use, disposal, etc.) parameters for the most significant chemicals as well as an analysis of the national infrastructure and resources for management, and the regulatory aspects of the process.
Douglas B. Walters, Ph.D., CSP, Director of Environmental & Chemical Safety Educational Institute, Raleigh, NC, USA, is a Member of the Editorial Board and a past CHAS Chair. He is the ACS Liaison to AIHA and an active participant in the AIHA International Affairs Committee. Together with Dr. Larry Keith in 2006 he founded the nonprofit Environmental & Chemistry Safety Educational Institute to provide developing countries with technical training in environmental chemistry and laboratory chemical safety (http://www.chemistshelpingchemists. org/) (e-mail: waltersdb@earthlink. net).
20
The National profile is unique in that it also analyses strengths and weaknesses of the factors influencing chemical safety and the possible social and economic advantages, as well as the risks associated with making mistakes and the need for international cooperation. Since 1997 many changes have occurred in Hungary in general and specifically in the area of chemical safety. Many of the recommendations in the 1997 Report have been implemented. As a result there has been much progress, change and development in Hungarian chemical safety. Similarly, there have been a number of changes and advances in chemical safety in Hungary, Europe and the rest of the world that present constant challenges and demand vigilant efforts to continue to develop, evolve, implement and maintain a first rate program. Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and became a full member of the European Union (EU) in 2004. In preparation for joining the EU the Act on Chemical
ß Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Safety of Hungary (ACSH) was adopted in 2000, which formally established regulations ensuring the implementation on community regulations in chemical safety. In addition, Hungary has worked with the UN and EU to develop and comply with the resolutions of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development that defined a new direction for the development of chemical safety, with the formulation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM). Since the 1997 Hungarian National Profile on Chemical Safety globalization has had a significant impact on Hungary’s economic, social, and environmental status. Many changes have occurred that require Hungarian chemical safety be revisited to assist the government, industry, academia, and public interest groups in order to successfully contribute to the development to global chemical safety. The general structure of the National Profile on Chemical Safety follows the
1871-5532/$32.00 doi:10.1016/j.jchas.2007.06.001
tion has declined from 14% in 1998 to 3.7% in 2006. The number of registered enterprises is 1.2 million with about 69% having <20 employees. The number of large companies (>500 employees) is <1%. The chemical industry in Hungary is one of the most important branches of the economy, producing 5% of the GNP. The industry has a 120-year tradition, which has contributed to a high standard of secondary and higher education. It is no wonder that Hungary has had so many Nobel prize winners.
Hungary is a landlocked country slightly smaller than Indiana located in central Europe and covers 1% of Europe’s total area (93,000 km2). It borders Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria.
It is relatively poor in natural resources and has a population of 10 million most of whom speak Hungarian with an ethnic population of 8%. Approximately 70% of its population is between 15 and 64-year old with equal distributions at the extremes. Median age is 38, population growth rate is 0.25%, life expectancy is 68.73 years/male and 77.38 years/female; literacy is 99.4%. The aging of the population has been increasing; those over 60 years now constitute 21%. Similarly the population has been decreasing at an increasing rate. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for slightly more than half of all deaths in Hungary. Malignant tumors are responsible for over 25% of the death rate with those affecting the respiratory system being the most prevalent. Respiratory disorders are thought, in part, to be a carry over from the former re´gime in which good environmental protection and industrial hygiene practices were lax to the point of being negligent. Hungary has a labor force of 4.2 million distributed in agriculture: 5.5%, industry: 33.3%, and services: 61.2% with an unemployment rate of 7.4%. Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, with a per capita income nearly two-thirds that of the EU-25
Hungary has a temperate climate with cold humid winters and warm summers with 50% of its land arable.
average. Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and acceded to the EU in May 2004. Infla-
in 1943 for the use of radioactive tracers to study chemical processes, e.g., the metabolism of animals. He
guidelines developed by the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITASR). However, in addition to increased emphasis on the global threat of terrorism several factors are unique to Hungary, i.e., an aging population and a decreasing number of inhabitants. It is for this reason that Hungary is committed to participating in the development and implementation of the new EU comprehensive re-regulation of chemicals denoted as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals). Particular emphasis has been placed on the effects on chemical safety of: globalization, prevention and elimination of emergencies (including terrorism), and the importance of ensuring children’s chemical safety. However, the upgrading of Hungary’s standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments.
NATIONAL BACKGROUND
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2008
FAMOUS SCIENTISTS
Hungary has produced many, many famous chemists, engineers, and scientists. A few of them and their accomplishments are noted here. George de Hevesy, a physical chemist was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Hungary has produced many, many famous chemists, engineers, and scientists.
21
dissolved the gold Nobel Prize medal in aqua regia to prevent the Nazis from stealing it and placed the solution on a shelf in his laboratory. After the war, the gold in the solution was precipitated and the Nobel Society recast the medal using the original gold. Ja´nos Irinyi, a chemist, invented the noiseless and non-explosive match by mixing phosphorus and lead dioxide instead of potassium chlorate that was used previously. He was a co-discoverer of Hafnium. George Olah was awarded the 1994 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for stabilizing and studying carbocations. Michael Polanyi, physical chemist with interests in kinetics and X-ray diffraction, was the father of John Polanyi who won the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for contributions concerning the dynamics of chemical elementary processes. Franz-Joseph Mu¨ller von Reichenstein was a mineralogist who discovered Tellurium in 1782. Richard Zsigmondy was awarded the 1925 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work with colloids. The Zsigmondy crater of the moon is named in his honor. Avram Hershko was awarded the 2004 Nobel prize in Chemistry for the discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, the pathway believed to be involved in the development and progression of diseases such as: cancer, muscular and neurological diseases, immune and inflammatory responses. Janos Bolyai devised non-Euclidean (or ‘‘absolute’’) geometry in 1831. Imre Brody designed the Rubik’s cube and the krypton electric bulb. Laszlo Biro invented holography and the ballpoint pen. And finally Elie Wiesel won the 1986 Nobel Prize for Peace for being, ‘‘. . .one of the leading intellectual figures in an age when world was inflicted by violence, oppression and racism.’’
RECENT ADVANCES
Many factors have contributed to Hungary’s advances in chemical safety over the last 10 years. In part, as a result of the 1992 UN Earth Summit in which Hungary participated, an Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) was established in 1994. This 22
Forum lead to the establishment of the Hungarian National Institute for Chemical Safety. This Institute together with the National Institute of Environmental Health and the National Institute of Occupational Health make up the Jozsef Fodor National Centre for Public Health. Together with other Institutions such as the National Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition, National Programme of Labor Protection, National Waste Management Programme, National Directorate General for the Prevention of Disasters, National Public Health and Medical Officers Service, National Centre for Epidemiology, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Water as well as organized governmental structure exists to safeguard the environmental, labor force and general population. Since 1986 Hungary’s concentrated efforts in occupational health have lead to a decline in the number of annually reported diseases of occupational origin. As a result of Hungary’s membership in the EU, a globally harmonized system for the classification and labeling of chemicals is in place. This has helped contribute to a well-planned, efficient, well-functioning institutional, regulatory and executive system for the sound management of potentially dangerous substances.
As a result of Hungary’s membership in the EU, a globally harmonized system for the classification and labeling of chemicals is in place Hungary is committed to: Protection of human health and the environment, Maintaining and increasing competitiveness in the EU chemical industry,
Maintaining the transparency of information flow, its channeling to consumers and establishing feedback, Integrating with global international safety efforts, Promoting non-animal testing of chemicals and, Conforming with EU and other international obligation under the WTO.
THE CHALLENGES AHEAD
While many advances have been made, much remains to be done. Hungary has only recently joined the EU. Their economy has not yet experiences the growth spurt experiences by many of the older EU members. Many challenges lie ahead in Hungary’s chemical industry. For example, because industrial activities do involve small and medium sized entrepreneurial businesses, labor and administrative controls are sometimes lacking. Therefore, it is important to properly manage and reduce the health and environmental risks caused by chemical pollution accompanying an economy in transition. In spite of Hungary’s focused efforts on public health and implementation of updated and new regulations, the number of accidental poisonings in the 0–14 age range, and especially the 1–4 age range, has increased significantly (10% of all poisonings). It is believed that exposure to hazardous substances sometimes go undiagnosed or unreported partly because of training, and partly because of lack of interest, training or understanding or because of counter interest (by workers employers, or physicians). Other challenges to the chemical industry include: Reducing chemical risks by upgrading production technologies, introducing new processes, Improvement in chemical waste management, Updating waste management regulations, Implementing waste recycling technologies,
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2008
Sound management of obsolete chemicals, asbestos, hazardous wastes and residues, Phasing out of ozone depleting substances, Improving conditions to create a safe environment, Insuring Hungarian statutes and regulations are in harmony with EU and international regulations, Improve the interaction and cooperation between the many Public Health related organizations, Improve monitoring of chemical contamination in the working environment, Compliance with national and international provisions as EU marketing becomes more strictly controlled,
Institution on training and education programs both for workers and the general population, Improvement of education programs in school and at home for those <14 years, Improving human and environmental protection and, Improving food safety.
Hungary is a nation in the midst of change with an exciting future ahead.
CONCLUSION
Hungary is a nation in the midst of change with an exciting future ahead. Much hard work remains to be done. But with the rich heritage and long tradition of scientific talent excellence I expect a great, prosperous, and safe future awaits them.
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2008
REFERENCES 1. Ungva´ry, G. National Coordinator and Editor. Chemical Safety in Hungary: New National Profile, Summary, 2006, Budapest. http://www.fjokk. hu/cejoem/files/Volume12/Vol12No2/ CE06_2.pdf
23
Chemical safety in Hungary This paper is a summary of current status and progress made in chemical safety in Hungary over the last 10 years. It is based in part on a report by a team of experts headed by Professor Dr. Gyo¨rgy Ungva´ry, Director General of the Jozsef Fodor National Center of Public Health in Budapest Hungary and a former member of the Board of Editors of the Journal of Chemical Health and Safety.
By Douglas B. Walters
INTRODUCTION
The first National Profile of Chemical Safety in Hungary was prepared in 1997.1 The National profile was the first document in Hungary to summarize the efforts of governmental and non-governmental organizations to promote chemical safety and the sound management of chemicals. The National Profile provides an overview of the cradle to grave (i.e., import, production, use, disposal, etc.) parameters for the most significant chemicals as well as an analysis of the national infrastructure and resources for management, and the regulatory aspects of the process.
Douglas B. Walters, Ph.D., CSP, Director of Environmental & Chemical Safety Educational Institute, Raleigh, NC, USA, is a Member of the Editorial Board and a past CHAS Chair. He is the ACS Liaison to AIHA and an active participant in the AIHA International Affairs Committee. Together with Dr. Larry Keith in 2006 he founded the nonprofit Environmental & Chemistry Safety Educational Institute to provide developing countries with technical training in environmental chemistry and laboratory chemical safety (http://www.chemistshelpingchemists. org/) (e-mail: waltersdb@earthlink. net).
20
The National profile is unique in that it also analyses strengths and weaknesses of the factors influencing chemical safety and the possible social and economic advantages, as well as the risks associated with making mistakes and the need for international cooperation. Since 1997 many changes have occurred in Hungary in general and specifically in the area of chemical safety. Many of the recommendations in the 1997 Report have been implemented. As a result there has been much progress, change and development in Hungarian chemical safety. Similarly, there have been a number of changes and advances in chemical safety in Hungary, Europe and the rest of the world that present constant challenges and demand vigilant efforts to continue to develop, evolve, implement and maintain a first rate program. Hungary joined NATO in 1999 and became a full member of the European Union (EU) in 2004. In preparation for joining the EU the Act on Chemical
ß Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Safety of Hungary (ACSH) was adopted in 2000, which formally established regulations ensuring the implementation on community regulations in chemical safety. In addition, Hungary has worked with the UN and EU to develop and comply with the resolutions of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development that defined a new direction for the development of chemical safety, with the formulation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM). Since the 1997 Hungarian National Profile on Chemical Safety globalization has had a significant impact on Hungary’s economic, social, and environmental status. Many changes have occurred that require Hungarian chemical safety be revisited to assist the government, industry, academia, and public interest groups in order to successfully contribute to the development to global chemical safety. The general structure of the National Profile on Chemical Safety follows the
1871-5532/$32.00 doi:10.1016/j.jchas.2007.06.001
tion has declined from 14% in 1998 to 3.7% in 2006. The number of registered enterprises is 1.2 million with about 69% having <20 employees. The number of large companies (>500 employees) is <1%. The chemical industry in Hungary is one of the most important branches of the economy, producing 5% of the GNP. The industry has a 120-year tradition, which has contributed to a high standard of secondary and higher education. It is no wonder that Hungary has had so many Nobel prize winners.
Hungary is a landlocked country slightly smaller than Indiana located in central Europe and covers 1% of Europe’s total area (93,000 km2). It borders Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria.
It is relatively poor in natural resources and has a population of 10 million most of whom speak Hungarian with an ethnic population of 8%. Approximately 70% of its population is between 15 and 64-year old with equal distributions at the extremes. Median age is 38, population growth rate is 0.25%, life expectancy is 68.73 years/male and 77.38 years/female; literacy is 99.4%. The aging of the population has been increasing; those over 60 years now constitute 21%. Similarly the population has been decreasing at an increasing rate. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for slightly more than half of all deaths in Hungary. Malignant tumors are responsible for over 25% of the death rate with those affecting the respiratory system being the most prevalent. Respiratory disorders are thought, in part, to be a carry over from the former re´gime in which good environmental protection and industrial hygiene practices were lax to the point of being negligent. Hungary has a labor force of 4.2 million distributed in agriculture: 5.5%, industry: 33.3%, and services: 61.2% with an unemployment rate of 7.4%. Hungary has made the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, with a per capita income nearly two-thirds that of the EU-25
Hungary has a temperate climate with cold humid winters and warm summers with 50% of its land arable.
average. Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and acceded to the EU in May 2004. Infla-
in 1943 for the use of radioactive tracers to study chemical processes, e.g., the metabolism of animals. He
guidelines developed by the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITASR). However, in addition to increased emphasis on the global threat of terrorism several factors are unique to Hungary, i.e., an aging population and a decreasing number of inhabitants. It is for this reason that Hungary is committed to participating in the development and implementation of the new EU comprehensive re-regulation of chemicals denoted as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals). Particular emphasis has been placed on the effects on chemical safety of: globalization, prevention and elimination of emergencies (including terrorism), and the importance of ensuring children’s chemical safety. However, the upgrading of Hungary’s standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution to meet EU requirements will require large investments.
NATIONAL BACKGROUND
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2008
FAMOUS SCIENTISTS
Hungary has produced many, many famous chemists, engineers, and scientists. A few of them and their accomplishments are noted here. George de Hevesy, a physical chemist was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Hungary has produced many, many famous chemists, engineers, and scientists.
21
dissolved the gold Nobel Prize medal in aqua regia to prevent the Nazis from stealing it and placed the solution on a shelf in his laboratory. After the war, the gold in the solution was precipitated and the Nobel Society recast the medal using the original gold. Ja´nos Irinyi, a chemist, invented the noiseless and non-explosive match by mixing phosphorus and lead dioxide instead of potassium chlorate that was used previously. He was a co-discoverer of Hafnium. George Olah was awarded the 1994 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for stabilizing and studying carbocations. Michael Polanyi, physical chemist with interests in kinetics and X-ray diffraction, was the father of John Polanyi who won the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for contributions concerning the dynamics of chemical elementary processes. Franz-Joseph Mu¨ller von Reichenstein was a mineralogist who discovered Tellurium in 1782. Richard Zsigmondy was awarded the 1925 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work with colloids. The Zsigmondy crater of the moon is named in his honor. Avram Hershko was awarded the 2004 Nobel prize in Chemistry for the discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, the pathway believed to be involved in the development and progression of diseases such as: cancer, muscular and neurological diseases, immune and inflammatory responses. Janos Bolyai devised non-Euclidean (or ‘‘absolute’’) geometry in 1831. Imre Brody designed the Rubik’s cube and the krypton electric bulb. Laszlo Biro invented holography and the ballpoint pen. And finally Elie Wiesel won the 1986 Nobel Prize for Peace for being, ‘‘. . .one of the leading intellectual figures in an age when world was inflicted by violence, oppression and racism.’’
RECENT ADVANCES
Many factors have contributed to Hungary’s advances in chemical safety over the last 10 years. In part, as a result of the 1992 UN Earth Summit in which Hungary participated, an Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) was established in 1994. This 22
Forum lead to the establishment of the Hungarian National Institute for Chemical Safety. This Institute together with the National Institute of Environmental Health and the National Institute of Occupational Health make up the Jozsef Fodor National Centre for Public Health. Together with other Institutions such as the National Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition, National Programme of Labor Protection, National Waste Management Programme, National Directorate General for the Prevention of Disasters, National Public Health and Medical Officers Service, National Centre for Epidemiology, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Water as well as organized governmental structure exists to safeguard the environmental, labor force and general population. Since 1986 Hungary’s concentrated efforts in occupational health have lead to a decline in the number of annually reported diseases of occupational origin. As a result of Hungary’s membership in the EU, a globally harmonized system for the classification and labeling of chemicals is in place. This has helped contribute to a well-planned, efficient, well-functioning institutional, regulatory and executive system for the sound management of potentially dangerous substances.
As a result of Hungary’s membership in the EU, a globally harmonized system for the classification and labeling of chemicals is in place Hungary is committed to: Protection of human health and the environment, Maintaining and increasing competitiveness in the EU chemical industry,
Maintaining the transparency of information flow, its channeling to consumers and establishing feedback, Integrating with global international safety efforts, Promoting non-animal testing of chemicals and, Conforming with EU and other international obligation under the WTO.
THE CHALLENGES AHEAD
While many advances have been made, much remains to be done. Hungary has only recently joined the EU. Their economy has not yet experiences the growth spurt experiences by many of the older EU members. Many challenges lie ahead in Hungary’s chemical industry. For example, because industrial activities do involve small and medium sized entrepreneurial businesses, labor and administrative controls are sometimes lacking. Therefore, it is important to properly manage and reduce the health and environmental risks caused by chemical pollution accompanying an economy in transition. In spite of Hungary’s focused efforts on public health and implementation of updated and new regulations, the number of accidental poisonings in the 0–14 age range, and especially the 1–4 age range, has increased significantly (10% of all poisonings). It is believed that exposure to hazardous substances sometimes go undiagnosed or unreported partly because of training, and partly because of lack of interest, training or understanding or because of counter interest (by workers employers, or physicians). Other challenges to the chemical industry include: Reducing chemical risks by upgrading production technologies, introducing new processes, Improvement in chemical waste management, Updating waste management regulations, Implementing waste recycling technologies,
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2008
Sound management of obsolete chemicals, asbestos, hazardous wastes and residues, Phasing out of ozone depleting substances, Improving conditions to create a safe environment, Insuring Hungarian statutes and regulations are in harmony with EU and international regulations, Improve the interaction and cooperation between the many Public Health related organizations, Improve monitoring of chemical contamination in the working environment, Compliance with national and international provisions as EU marketing becomes more strictly controlled,
Institution on training and education programs both for workers and the general population, Improvement of education programs in school and at home for those <14 years, Improving human and environmental protection and, Improving food safety.
Hungary is a nation in the midst of change with an exciting future ahead.
CONCLUSION
Hungary is a nation in the midst of change with an exciting future ahead. Much hard work remains to be done. But with the rich heritage and long tradition of scientific talent excellence I expect a great, prosperous, and safe future awaits them.
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2008
REFERENCES 1. Ungva´ry, G. National Coordinator and Editor. Chemical Safety in Hungary: New National Profile, Summary, 2006, Budapest. http://www.fjokk. hu/cejoem/files/Volume12/Vol12No2/ CE06_2.pdf
23