Prevention and Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides |
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Prevention and Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides |
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The build up of high pressure of obsolete stocks inside containers and the ballooning effect on drums
(Photo: Wodageneh/A)The unawawre and unsuspecting buy pesticides that are distributed in various containers such as coke, wine, whisky bottles, etc. It is very likely that these pesticides are mistaken for drinks once purchased and left in human domains
(FAO photo/I. Balderi)Pesticides are mixed or dumped in rivers, canals, etc. and sprayers washed and cleaned in the same site where people get drinking water from
(Photo: M. Davis).The unawawre and unsuspecting buy pesticides that are distributed in various bottles such coke, wine, whisky, etc. It is very likely that these pesticides are mistaken for drinks once purchased and left in human domains
(Picture: N. Rubery)Reasons for accumulation
- Banning of pesticides that are still kept in store
- Aggressive pesticide sales, promotions and distributions by the Chemical Industry
- Prolonged storage of products with a short shelf-life
- Difficulties in forecasting outbreaks of pest
- Inappropriate assessment of pesticide requirements
- Insufficient application capacity
- Inappropriate formulations or substandard containers
- Excessive donations: these are usually inappropriate because they are not received when needed most (i.e. late arrival of donations or out of season delivery), or are uncoordinated with similar donations from various sources. Such are tantamount to dumping
- Inadequate storage facilities
- Lack of staff trained in storage management (i.e. poor stock taking and lack of records)
- Ineffective distribution or poor marketing systems for pesticides (government or private sector or both )
- Lack of awareness of the inherent dangers of pesticides
- Misuse of pesticide containers (e.g. for a variety of domestic uses, water containers, food storage, use for pot plants, etc.)
Extent of spread
Obsolete stocks constantly cause mass suffering and widespread irreversible human health hazards. Unfortunately accumulation continues at an increasing rate. There is no country, being it developed or developing, that is free from the negative legacy of obsolete pesticides and POPs waste.
The hazard is acute and devastatingly dangerous in the developing countries because:
Developed countries have all these important and effective tools and therefore can manage to get rid of their hazardous wastes if they so decide.
- People and governments are unaware of the inherent danger of pesticides,
- The necessary financial resources are either scarce or don't exist,
- Facilities either for containing the waste or for its destruction are not available,
- Appropriate legal measures don't exist or, if they do, are either impossible or difficult to implement,
- Environmental activists are either absent or too weak to stage public demonstration; and
- Expertise or skilled manpower is not available.
Policy Issues
Mistakes have been made in the past and recognised but urgent measures need to be taken to prevent repetition because large quantities of obsolete pesticides remain as a heritage of more than 30 years of misuse.
Unless coordinated international action is taken, the problem will continue to worsen. The following are areas where FAO intends to focus its efforts if the necessary funds can be found.
- Organising a global effort to dispose of existing hazardous chemicals and also to avoid further accumulations
- Providing monitoring services to ensure that contractors comply with international safety and environmental standards
- Establishing more cooperation among donor governments and aid agencies, recipient governments and agrochemical companies, who all must assume some of the responsibility for the current situation
- Giving high priority to promoting methods of pest management that will reduce the reliance on pesticides
- Recommending that selection of agrochemical companies to supply pesticides under aid arrangements be limited to those that are willing to take back or help dispose of unused product
- Seeking and mobilising funding sources for disposal operations
- Establishing joint funding arrangements when necessary
Related or similar areas of the FAO's activities include the following:
- Bringing the issue and problems associated with obsolete stocks high on the international agenda
- Providing an international forum for discussions
- Organising regular expert meetings and consultations
- Developing appropriate guidelines on issues related to obsolete stocks for distribution to member governments, research organizations, universities and to other concerned
- Ensuring access of information and guidelines to the public through the Internet and other media
- Conducting in-country workshops as well as on regional and sub-regional basis
- Collaborating with the relevant sister UN organizations (UNEP) and others such as OECD, regional organizations, etc.
- Provide the necessary advice and guidance to governments on project development
- Organising and conducting disposal operations
