SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS MINAMATA INITIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT DEVELOPMENT OF MINAMATA INITIAL ASSESSMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN (Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago) SEPTEMBER 2018 Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer in the Caribbean *This page has been intentionally left blank* i SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS MINAMATA INITIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT PUBLISHED 2018 Prepared by the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean) under the GEF Project: “Development of the Minamata Initial Assessment in the Caribbean (Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago)”. GEF IMPLEMENTING AGENCY UN Environment NATIONAL EXECUTING AGENCY Saint Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards DISCLAIMER The sole responsibility for the content of this Report lies with the co-authors. The views reflected in this Report are solely those of the co-authors and are not necessarily those of the other institutions that supported the report. COVER PHOTO SOURCES https://www.travel2thecaribbeanblog.com/2013/11/st-kitts-marriott-resort-cyber-monday.html ii ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT The Saint Kitts and Nevis 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 with the United Nations Environment (UN Environment) 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 executed by the Saint Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS). The development of the Report was guided by the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) who was contracted as the lead technical consultancy. The report consists of an inventory of mercury emissions and releases, primarily based on 2015 data, and was performed in accordance with UN Environment (formerly United Nations Environment Programme) "Toolkit for identification and quantification of mercury releases", Inventory Level 2 (version 1.04, January 2017). The report also includes an assessment of the Policy, Legislative and Institutional Framework in relation to the implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which was developed by legal consultant, Dr Winston McCalla. Additional assessments and recommendations are outlined in chapters relating to populations at risk, education and awareness-raising strategies, and priorities for action to ensure the effective implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Contact point responsible for inventory of mercury releases Full name of institution Saint Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards Contact person Dr Marcus L Natta, Science and Research Manager E-mail address [email protected]; [email protected] Telephone number +1 (869) 465-5279; +1 (869) 467-1587 Website of institution www.sknbs.org; facebook.com/sknbs Report issuing date September, 2018 iii Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. 1 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ 3 List of Abbreviations ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 1: National Background Information .............................................................................................. 25 1.1 Geography and Population ............................................................................................................... 25 1.2 Political, Legal and Economic Profile ............................................................................................... 26 1.3 Environmental Overview ................................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 2: Mercury Inventory and Identification of Emissions and Releases ............................................ 29 2.1 Summary of Mercury Releases, Stockpiles, and Supply and Trade ................................................ 29 2.1.1 Mercury Release Source Types Present .................................................................................. 29 2.1.2 Summary of Mercury Inputs to Society ..................................................................................... 31 2.1.3 Summary of Mercury Releases ................................................................................................. 32 2.1.4 Summary of Mercury Stockpiles, and Supply and Trade .......................................................... 36 2.2 Identified Hot-Spots of Mercury Contamination (Contaminated Sites) ............................................. 37 2.3 Data and Inventory on Extraction and Use of Fuels/Energy Sources .............................................. 41 2.4 Data and Inventory on Consumer Products with Intentional Use of Mercury ................................... 47 2.4.1 Thermometers Containing Mercury ........................................................................................... 48 2.4.2 Electrical Switches and Relays Containing Mercury ................................................................. 50 2.4.3 Light Sources with Mercury ....................................................................................................... 52 2.4.4. Batteries with Mercury .............................................................................................................. 54 2.4.5 Polyurethane with Mercury Catalysts ........................................................................................ 56 2.4.6 Pharmaceuticals for Human and Veterinary Uses .................................................................... 57 2.4.7 Cosmetics and Related Products with Mercury (Skin-lightening Cosmetics) ........................... 57 2.5 Data and Inventory on Other Intentional Product/Process Uses ...................................................... 59 2.5.1 Dental Mercury Amalgam Fillings ............................................................................................. 59 2.5.2 Manometers and Gauges with Mercury .................................................................................... 62 2.5.3 Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment with Mercury ................................................................ 63 2.6 Data and Inventory on Waste Incineration and Burning ................................................................... 66 2.7 Data and Inventory on Waste Disposal, Deposition/Landfilling and Wastewater System/Treatment ................................................................................................................................................................ 68 2.7.1 Waste Deposition and Landfilling .............................................................................................. 68 iv 2.7.2 Informal Dumping of General Waste ......................................................................................... 73 2.7.3 Wastewater System/Treatment ................................................................................................. 73 2.8 Data and Inventory on Crematoria and Cemeteries ......................................................................... 77 2.9 Stocks of Mercury and/or Mercury Compounds, and Storage Conditions ....................................... 80 2.10 Supply and Trade of Mercury and Mercury Containing Compounds Including Sources, Recycling Activities and Quantities ......................................................................................................................... 80 2.11 Impacts of Mercury on Human Health and the Environment .......................................................... 81 Chapter 3: Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Framework Assessment ................................................... 82 3.1 Assessment of Policy ........................................................................................................................ 82 3.2 Assessment of Legislation ................................................................................................................ 85 3.2.1 Saint Kitts and Nevis Legislation ............................................................................................... 86 3.2.2 Nevisian Legislation .................................................................................................................. 97 3.2.3 Minamata Convention and Saint Kitts and Nevis Legislation .................................................... 98 3.2.4 Gaps .......................................................................................................................................