Jamaica Minamata Initial Assessment Report
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JAMAICA MINAMATA INITIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT NOVEMBER 2018 DEVELOPMENT OF THE MINAMATA INITIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN (Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago) *This page has been intentionally left blank* ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT The Jamaica Minamata Initial Assessment Report was developed under the Project, “Development of Minamata Initial Assessment in the Caribbean: Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago”. The Project is an enabling activity for the ratification and/or implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Funding was received from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the United Nations Environment (UN Environment; formerly United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP) acting as the Implementing Agency and the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean) acting as the Executing Agency. Nationally, the Project was coordinated by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC). The development of the Report was guided by the Biodiversity Research Institute which was contracted as the lead technical consultancy on the Project by the BCRC- Caribbean. The report consists of an inventory of mercury releases primarily based on 2016 data. This inventory was performed in accordance with UN Environment's "Toolkit for identification and quantification of mercury releases", Inventory Level 2 (version 1.04, January 2017). Data collection and drafting of the inventory was conducted by National Project Coordinator, Dr. April Johnson. The Report also includes an assessment of the policy, legislative and institutional frameworks in relation to the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury which was developed by Dr. Winston McCalla. Additional assessments and recommendations are outlined in chapters relating to popu- lations at risk, education and awareness-raising strategies, and priorities for action to ensure the effective implementation of the Minamata Convention. This Report was reviewed by the National Working Group comprising representatives from the relevant public sector agencies (Annex I). Contact point for Jamaica’s Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) Report (2018) Full name of institution Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation E-mail address [email protected] and [email protected] Telephone number 876 633 7500 Fax number 876 920 7267 Website of institution http://www.megjc.gov.jm Report issuing date November 2018 Table of Contents LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................... 6 LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................................... 7 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................................................... 8 FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................... 11 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................ 13 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 21 CHAPTER I: NATIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ...................................................................... 28 1.1 COUNTRY PROFILE .............................................................................................................................. 28 1.1.1 Geography and Population ........................................................................................................ 28 1.1.2 Economic Profile ........................................................................................................................ 29 1.2 PRESENCE OF MERCURY IN JAMAICA .................................................................................................... 30 CHAPTER II: MERCURY INVENTORY AND IDENTIFICATION OF EMISSIONS AND RESOURCES .. 34 2.1 SUMMARY OF MERCURY RELEASES, STOCKPILES, AND SUPPLY AND TRADE .......................................... 34 2.1.1 Mercury Release Source Types Present ................................................................................... 34 2.1.2 Summary of Estimated Mercury Inputs to Society .................................................................... 36 2.1.3 Summary of Mercury Releases ................................................................................................. 38 2.1.4 Summary of Mercury Stockpiles, and Supply and Trade .......................................................... 42 2.2 DATA AND INVENTORY ON ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND FUEL PRODUCTION ........................................... 43 2.2.1 Refining and Use of Mineral Oils ............................................................................................... 43 2.2.2 Use of Natural Gas .................................................................................................................... 45 2.2.3 Biomass Fired Power and Heat Production ............................................................................... 46 2.3 DATA AND INVENTORY ON DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF METALS AND RAW MATERIALS ............................ 49 2.3.1 Aluminium Extraction and Initial Processing .............................................................................. 49 2.4 DATA AND INVENTORY ON PRODUCTION OF MINERALS AND MATERIALS WITH MERCURY IMPURITIES ........ 54 2.4.1 Cement Production .................................................................................................................... 54 2.4.2 Lime Production ......................................................................................................................... 58 2.5 DATA AND INVENTORY ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS WITH INTENTIONAL USE OF MERCURY .......................... 60 2.5.1 Thermometers Containing Mercury ........................................................................................... 60 2.5.2 Electrical Switches and Relays Containing Mercury ................................................................. 63 2.5.3 Light Sources with Mercury ....................................................................................................... 65 2.5.4 Batteries with Mercury ............................................................................................................... 70 2.5.5 Polyurethane with Mercury Catalysts ........................................................................................ 72 2.5.6 Pharmaceuticals for Human and Veterinary Uses .................................................................... 72 2.5.7 Cosmetics and Related Products with Mercury (Skin-lightening Cosmetics) ............................ 73 2.6 DATA AND INVENTORY ON OTHER INTENTIONAL PRODUCT/PROCESS USES ............................................ 75 2.6.1 Dental Mercury Amalgam Fillings .............................................................................................. 75 2.6.2 Manometers and Gauges with Mercury ..................................................................................... 78 3 DFDFDFD 2.6.3 Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment with Mercury ................................................................. 80 2.6.4 Miscellaneous Product Uses with Mercury and Other Sources ................................................ 83 2.7 DATA AND INVENTORY ON WASTE HANDLING ................................................................................. 84 2.7.1 Incineration and Burning ............................................................................................................ 84 2.7.2 Controlled Landfills/Deposits ..................................................................................................... 84 2.7.3 Wastewater System/Treatment ................................................................................................. 89 2.8 DATA AND INVENTORY ON CREMATORIA AND CEMETERIES .................................................................... 96 2.9 STOCKS OF MERCURY AND/OR MERCURY COMPOUNDS, AND STORAGE CONDITIONS ............................. 98 2.10 SUPPLY AND TRADE OF MERCURY AND MERCURY CONTAINING COMPOUNDS INCLUDING SOURCES, RECYCLING ACTIVITIES AND QUANTITIES .................................................................................................... 99 2.11 CONTAMINATED SITES ..................................................................................................................... 100 2.12 IMPACTS OF MERCURY ON HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT .................................................. 104 CHAPTER III: POLICY, REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ASSESSMENT ......... 105 3.1 ASSESSMENT OF POLICY ................................................................................................................... 105 3.1.1 Existing Policies ....................................................................................................................... 105 3.2 ASSESSMENT OF LEGISLATION ........................................................................................................... 106 3.2.1 Existing Legislation .................................................................................................................. 106 3.2.2 Minamata Convention and Jamaican