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World Chlorine Council Newsletter | August 2022 ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Global News Update
August 2022
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Contents
- Editorial
- Spring Meeting Team Reports
- Future WCC Meetings
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Welcome Message from WCC Secretariat
Dear WCC Colleagues and Friends:
Leadership of WCC was passed from Euro Chlor to the North American organizations this year, for a normal two-year term. The transfer which normally rotates between the European and North American organization was delayed a year so that the Chlorine Institute (CI), the new North American lead, could get up to speed with the breadth of WCC activities beyond safety. We are thankful to Euro Chlor for leading WCC for a third consecutive year in 2021 to allow for a smooth operation. CI is honored to serve in the leadership position and is fortunate to have the cooperation of the new American Chemistry Council’s Chlorine Panel to support the Communications Team and the overall organization.
The focus on WCC’s mission has been maintained during the pandemic by intentional action to continue the close communication and sharing that is key to accomplishing WCC’s mission. Lines of communication were maintained by conducting virtual meetings and seminars. It has been a learning experience for us all but has been effective under the circumstances. As we emerge from the pandemic, we look forward to resuming the in-person interactions between the member organizations that have served to build trust, sharing of experience and friendships. Plans are well underway for the Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge in October and a Safety Seminar in Malaysia in November. I look forward to these opportunities to share experiences with our WCC partners and to see old friends in person.
We anticipate both events to be well attended as we get back to a more normal rhythm. During this period of virtual meetings, a good number of new individuals have become active in WCC. These individuals have included new representatives from Clorosur, Alkali Manufactures Association of India (AMAI) and Japan Soda Industry Association (JSIA) in addition to WCC Chair Neil Ackerman, President of Occidental Chemical Corporation. These new individuals bring fresh perspective to our deliberations as we seek to sustain the position of the chlor-alkali Industry going forward. I am excited about the new relationships we will build and look forward to how that will advance the goals of WCC as we confront the many issues facing our industry.
The membership to varying degrees faces similar issues in the various regions. The key issues of asbestos, PFAS and government registration, while being addressed differently in the various regions, have many underlying similarities. WCC can serve to share strategies and information to manage these issues while upholding our overall goal of assuring the benefits of chlorine are achieved while our populations and environment are protected.
I look forward to a productive year in all regions as we share our experiences and learn from each other.
Thank you,
Frank Reiner
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Spring Meeting Team Reports
Global Advocacy & Science Team (GAST)
Regarding mercury issues, during WCC’s Management Committee meeting, Martim Penna with Clorosur, reported on conversion activities at two plants in Mexico and also discussed additional funding activities at four plants in Brazil. The plants in Brazil that were shut down are again operational and the conversion activities are in the process of converting from mercury cells to diaphragm cells. One mercury cell plant remains in operation in the US. Additionally, EU’s conversion/closure deadline passed and now facilities must stabilize mercury within eight years. There are concerns there is not enough mercury stabilization capacity to meet the demand over the next eight years.
Chrysotile asbestos use in the chlor-alkali industry in the US was determined by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) risk evaluation to have an “unreasonable risk to workers.” EPA was obligated to promulgate a risk management rule which was published in April 2022. The proposed rule is an aggressive two-year phase out or a five-year phase out with an existing chemical exposure limit. ACC and CI submitted extensive comments to EPA.
Regarding sustainable development, WCC has noted that chlorine chemistry plays a role in achieving approximately half of the 17 UN Sustainable Goals (SDG’s), including SDG#6, the goal for universal access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation. Unfortunately, the health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are hampering progress toward achieving the SDGs by the 2030 deadline. At the mid-point of the UN Water Action Decade (2018-2028), a March 2023 UN meeting will examine specific progress toward SDG #6.
The Chlorine Disinfection Task Force promoted chlorine chemistry’s role in providing safe drinking water on World Water Day (March 22). The Task Force posted a news article on the WCC website, addressing the theme of “Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible.” The article was promoted using the WCC Twitter account. The Task Force continues to promote chlorine disinfection during relevant international observances, such as World Oceans Day (ballast water disinfection) and World Water Week.
With the approval of the WCC Management Committee, the Disinfection Byproducts Task Force renamed itself the Chlorine Disinfection Task Force. The new name better reflects the group’s activities, which include not only monitoring disinfection byproducts research, but also promoting pool chemical safety and the proper use of chlorine bleach. The group developed and is promoting two accidental mixing resources, a poster and a trifold pamphlet. These are available for free download on the WCC Resources page.
The Task Force is organizing an October 20 Pool Chemical Safety Virtual Webinar. The two-hour event will feature four presentations addressing the safe use and storage of pool chemicals, underlying issues in pool chemical incidents, pool chemical injury data, and freely available safety resources. Registration for the virtual webinar will open in August.
Contact: Mary Ostrowski
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Global Safety Team (GST)
The Global Safety Team published two Global Safety Newsletters with selected picture of some incidents. On the quarterly calls, the GST shared incidents and welcomed the participation of CCAI in China, who is new to the team.
The date for this year’s Safety Seminar in Johor, Malaysia is set for November 2-3, 2022; registration will open soon.
Contact: Robyn Brooks
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Global Communications Team (GCT)
The GCT met in January 2022 to discuss plans for the year. The Committee finalized WCC’s communications plan which was approved at the Management Committee meeting. Also, WCC’s website continues to be updated with relevant news articles. Members are encouraged to volunteer News Updates to be posted on the website. Also, regions are encouraged to link to the WCC website on their own organizations’ websites and social media.
Finally, the GCT has created a twitter account for WCC. Members are encouraged to recommend relevant tweets to the Committee to share on the account.
Contact: LeaAnne Forest
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Future WCC Meetings
WCC Annual Meeting October 12-13, 2022; Watermark Autograph Collection Hotel, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
WCC Safety Seminar November 2-3; Johnor Malaysia
Contact Michelle Jurgens, CI Manager of Administrative Functions, Board Secretary & Treasurer with any questions about these meetings.
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