Dangerous Legacy of Obsolete Pesticides

ROME, Italy, May 25, 1999 (ENS) - Like a time-bomb, huge stocks of dangerous obsolete and unused pesticides in parts of Europe, Africa and the Near East will pose a threat to humans and the environment until 2030, if funding for waste disposal remains at the current low level, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today at a donors meeting in Rome. The FAO called upon governments and industry to increase their efforts and financial support to solve this environmental problem.

It is estimated that there are several hundred thousand tonnes of obsolete pesticide stocks worldwide, with more than 100,000 tonnes in developing countries. The FAO estimates the amount of pesticide left-overs in Africa at 20,000 tonnes.

The situation is even dangerous in Europe, particularly in Poland with 65,000 tonnes, and in the Ukraine with over 23,000 tonnes.

The lethal legacy of obsolete pesticides stocks continues to threaten human health and the environment, the FAO said.

Obsolete pesticides in corroded containers (Photo courtesy FAO)

Often, drums are stored in the open, next to food stores or markets, and easily accessible to children.

Deadly chemicals are contaminating the soils, ground water, irrigation and drinking water. These forgotten stocks are a serious risk, they could cause an environmental tragedy in rural areas and big cities.

There is hardly any developing country that is not affected by the hazards of obsolete pesticides," Wodageneh said. Particularly in Africa, an enormous variety of pesticides have been imported by developing countries either donated by aid agencies or governments. Some stocks are over 30 years old and can no longer be used because they are banned or they have deteriorated as a result of prolonged storage.

The accumulation of pesticides is due to the inability to forecast pest outbreaks and excessive donations; inadequate storage facilities and poor stock management, ineffective or wrong pesticide formulations and aggressive sales practices.

Among the highly toxic and persistent pesticides identified were aldrin, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, lindane, malathion, parathion and many others.

Since 1994, 3,000 tonnes have bewen disposed of in 14 African and two Near East countries. "If the removal continues at the same speed as in the past, we shall need more than 30 years to finish the clean-up of obsolete stocks in Africa and the Near East. This would only include the removal of metal drums and other containers, but not the more difficult disposal of contaminated soil", the FAO said.

So far, around $24.4 million has been spent on the removal of pesticides in Africa and the Near East, the FAO said. The clean-up was mainly funded by the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, South Africa, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Sweden and the FAO.

To clean all obsolete pesticide spots in Africa would cost between $80 and 100 million, the FAO said.

Wodageneh said, "The chemical industry is far from fulfilling its commitments to pay one United States dollar per litre/kg for the removal of obsolete pesticide stocks in Africa and the Near East."

"The support from industry is crucial for the future disposal of pesticides because aid agencies of donor countries cannot cover all costs without a substantial contribution from the industry. The FAO, therefore, urges the companies to renew their commitment and to participate more in future disposal initiatives."

The FAO has started preparations for future clean-ups in Ethiopia and the United Republic of Tanzania. For Ethiopia, the USAID announced a financial contribution of $1 million, the Netherlands has pledged $2 million, and Sweden indicated the possibility of contributing $1 million. Donors are urging governments in developing countries to take concrete steps to avoid the future accumulation of obsolete pesticide stocks.

The safest way to dispose of obsolete pesticides is high temperature incineration, the FAO said. Safe incinerators are rare in developing countries, and pesticides are repackaged and shipped to a country with a hazardous waste destruction facility. In the past, waste was shipped to Europe.

© Environment News Service (ENS) 1999. All Rights Reserved.