2001 PACIFIC BASIN CONFERENCE ON HAZARDOUS WASTE
5 - 7 December 2001
Okayama, Japan

   The 10th International Pacific Basin Conference on Hazardous Waste held on 5 -7 December 2001 in Okayama, Japan. The theme of this year's conference is "Integrated Management of Hazardous Waste: Cleaner Production and Disposal". More than 120 experts from 17 countries have attended the conference. There were a total of 60 technical papers and 17 posters presentations during the 3-day conference.

   The conference has recognized the issues that are seriously causing threat to the environment and our health. It highlighted the need for the integration of pollution prevention through adoption of waste minimization techniques and cleaner production technologies.

   The conference was formally opened by Dr. Masaru Tanaka from Okayama University and President of the Conference. The opening ceremonies was graced by Mr. Iichiro Khono, President of Okayama University, Mr. Kazuyoshi Okazawa, General Director the Ministry of Environment, Japan, Governor Masahiro Ishii of Okayama Prefecture, Mayor Seiji Hagiwara of Okayama City and Dr. Gene Peralta, Executive Secretary of PBC. 

    Keynote lecture on chronic diseases of people residing near hazardous waste sites was presented by Dr. David Carpenter of the University of Albany, USA. He mentioned that thyroid and endometriosis appears to be related with contaminated sites. Mr. Liu Xianbing from China gave interesting views on the increasing generation of hazardous waste in China that is now being cleaned-up through efforts of the government. Mr. Gil-Jong Oh presented the experiences in Korea on policy development and implementation. A paper from Japan was presented by Mr. Hideto Yoshida which highlighted the resistance of communities on siting of hazardous waste facilities and the possible options that are being considered for the management of hazardous waste including medical wastes.

   Two plenary sessions were scheduled with presentations on experiences in Teshima Island on waste management and conflict resolution, advantages and disadvantages of infectious waste treatment, methods of predicting leachate in landfill, and benefits of recycling. The conference was divided into 12 simultaneous technical sessions with a technical tour to Mizushima Clean Center and Kawasaki Steel Company.

   Finally, an Okayama (Momotaro) Declaration was presented and approved by the general assembly during the closing ceremonies. 

   Dr. Petchporn Chawakitchareon offered to host the 11th PBC Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. The next conference is slated in April 2003.