Iran

22. Chemicals & Pesticides Management in I.R.Iran

Maryam Meschi

Since pesticides and other chemicals are considered as hazardous factors to the environment and human health, protection of the environment and human being against the adverse effects of them is an essential task. These substances are hazardous and many of them endanger the environment and deteriorate human health, due to persistence and non-degradability.

The Rio Conference (Earth Summit, 1992) and the attention of the world communities toward protection of the environment and human health has made the relevant authorities (such as Ministry of Agriculture , Ministry of Health and the Environmental Protection Organization) to conduct different programs for optimal usage of pesticides and other chemicals; control and surveillance over these substances; protection of the environment; and promotion of human health.

Our country has adopted substantial rules and regulations concerning registration, production, transportation, usage, storage, import and export of 1967. Based on this law, a special committee called A Pesticides Supervision Board A (PSB) composed of members from Plant Protection Organization, Plant Pest and Diseases Researches Institute, Ministry of Health, Hygiene Research Institute of Tehran University, Veterinary Organization and some other concerns bodies, is legally responsible for registration of pesticides.

Importation, manufacturing, formulation, processing, handling, labeling and export of all chemicals for pest and disease control shall require permits from Plant Protection Organization (POP). The list of permitted pesticides are adjusted regularly based on the up-dated information obtained from relevant international scientific organizations such as ARC, IRRUPT, EPA, EPICS, FAO, WHO, ...

In addition to approving new pesticides, Pesticides Supervision Board is also responsible for banning or limiting the usage of registered products. Some such products include POPs pesticides. For better coordination of supervision over the usage of pesticides and other chemicals as far as health's concern , the law on AControlling and Surveillance of Poisons and Chemicals Awas approved by Islamic Consultative Assembly in 1996. Accordingly the Ministry of Health is responsible for implementation of this law .

The draft of regulations, was drawn by Ministry of Health with cooperation of relevant authorities, includes 27 articles which will be implemented after the approval of ACouncil of Ministries A in near future. In this draft establishment of a center for controlling and surveillance over poisons and chemicals has been suggested.

Some measures have been taken by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for establishment of "Poisons Information Centers". This ministry not only inspects hygienic products, especially domestic insecticides but also cooperates with the Ministry of Agriculture in issuing permission for manufacturing of above mentioned products. Duee to existence of chemical pollutants in ecosystems there is sufficient rules and regulations for controlling these contaminants.

To reach sustainable development while considering environmental issues and reduction pesticide use, as well as, use of some non-chemical alternatives against pests, diseases and weeds, establishment of AHigh Council for Policy Making and Programming in Reduction of Pesticides Usage A, was approved by the Council of Ministries. Based on this plan the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible to reduce usage of pesticides about 30 to 40 percent under the Second Five - Years Development Plan. Projects included in this plan focus on biological and non - chemical methods.

In the case of chemical control , there is a great effort to reduce usage of chemicals with strengthening the surveillance bases and also raising awareness of involved sectors.

Integrated pest Management (IPM) has a high priority in this plan statistic indicate that the use of pesticides has decreased substantially in recent years and it is expected with optimal usage of these products and finding of suitable alternatives, including non - chemical and biological alternatives, as well as, IPM approaches, the serious threat to human health and the environment be reduced in an environmentally sound and cost - effective manner.

For strengthening the chemical safety program, a national committee on chemical safety has been established in the Ministry of Health. Overseeing the draft of regulation for controlling and surveillance of pesticides and other chemicals in relation to various health aspects is one of the main responsibilities of the committee. A major part of the chemicals monitoring program is to check the usage of these substances and to provide appropriate facilities for prevention of poisoning and saving the life of victims. Therefore, to achieve the above mentioned objective, it is necessary to integrate this program in the Primary Health Care (PHI) networks of the Ministry of Health. This program jointly is undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture under the title of  "Health - Agriculture".

One of the objectives of the National Chemical Safety is development of Poisons Information Network.

The Main duties of such a network are as following :

- Recording, keeping and exchanging information.

- Public awareness and to reduce the high risks of chemicals by poisons controlling and poison treatment procedures.

a) pesticides :

Aldrin, heptachlor, dieldrin, DDT, endrin, chlordane, toxaphene are banned in our country since 1973.  Lindane is used in some cases with the approval of Pesticides Supervision Board and is hoped that with finding of suitable alternatives its use be prohibited in near future. Mirex has never been registered in Iran. DDT is mainly used for controlling the leishmaniasis.

According to the existing information in the northern and western parts of the country the super pictus anophilia and sakarauy are sensitive to DDT.

Stockpiles of obsolete POPS pesticides are not identified, because they have not been centralized. However the safe disposal of stockpiles is a significant problem, but it can be said that the amount of stocks are not too much.

b) industrial POPS :

In the recent years efforts have been taken to identify amounts of PCBs in our country. Import, export and production of PCBs is prohibited. We have some problems with disposal and destruction of Askaral wastes from old transformers and capacitors. It seems that keeping them in storage is the best solution.

There are some studies on waste incineration. However, since the technology must be provided by developed countries, it seems economically unreasonable.

To prevent emission of dioxins and furans, recommendations have been given to relevant industries for taking appropriate measures.

Needs and Requirements

•      Assistance in making adequate infrastructure and facilities for manufacturing and formulation of pesticides
•      Assistance in disposal of obsolete pesticides providing disposal facilities and appropriate waste management facilities
•      Assistance in providing equipment for quantifying impurities and inert materials of pesticides
•      Supporting establishment of pesticide residue laboratories
•      Technological assistance in destruction capacity for PCBs
•      Technological cooperation
•      Monitoring release of dioxins and furans.

http://www.chem.unep.ch/pops/POPs_Inc/proceedings/bangkok/MESCHI.html