Issues And Problems Of Obsolete Pesticide Stockpiles

Alemayehu Wodageneh, Environmental Affairs and Toxic Waste Management, P.O. Box 20075, Windhoek, Namibia
E-mail: Alemu_w@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

Obsolete, unwanted and banned pesticides constantly pose significant threat to human health and the environment. The problems are widespread in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. There are no facilities to destroy them and the unawareness of the inherent danger of pesticides is widespread, no expertise and financial resources. At present repackaging and transport to a high temperature incinerator in Europe is the only viable disposal method. This is expensive and time consuming, and involves cleaning up, repackaging in UN approved containers and transporting hazardous chemicals long distances across many borders, over land and high seas. While there are a number of alternatives to incineration for pesticide disposal, they are too expensive, too complex, and too dangerous or have limited applicability and are less versatile. There is a desperate need for a cheap and effective pesticide disposal technology that is appropriate for use in developing countries. The need for urgent cleanup of stockpiles of obsolete pesticides and associated waste and the prevention of further accumulation in African countries requires a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach. Africa needs to adopt strong legislative measures to extricate itself from the legacy of permanent toxic stockpiles inflicted upon it for decades. It needs to have a united policy and a concerted international policy to avoid future accumulation of waste to ensure safer and healthier environment