Pesticides, obsolete

The research published in this book uses the presently most comprehensive multicompartment model, the first which comprises a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (GCM). GCMs are the state-of-the-art tools used in climate research. The study is on the marine and total environmental distribution and fate of two chemicals, an obsolete pesticide (DDT) and an emerging contaminant (perflu-orinated compound) and contains the first description of a whole historic cycle of an anthropogenic substance, i.e. from the introduction into the environment until its fading beyond phase-out. 

The document lists common technical grade pesticides and recommended classihcations together with a listing of active ingredients believed to be obsolete or discontinued for use as pesticides, pesticides subject to the prior informed consent procedure, limitations to trade because of the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) convention (UN 2001), and gaseous or volatile fumigants not classified under these recommendations. 

Countries should establish relevant action plans with respect to identification, neutralisation and safe disposal of obsolete stocks of pesticides and other chemicals. 

At the same time, the developing countries were struggling to cope with extensive intoxications from pesticides, lead and mercury poisoning, legacies of stockpiled obsolete pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls and other issues that had to a large extent already been taken care of in the developed countries. 

Kamatz, A.Obsolete pesticide disposal project. Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets,... 

Schimpf, W.A. Obsolete pesticide stocks in developing countries. In Chemistry of Crop Protection. Progress and Prospects in Science and Regulation (eds G. Voss G. Ramos). Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2003, pp. 40-53. 

Obsolete Pesticide Stocks in Developing Countries Strategies, Policies, and Practical Steps for Their Disposal... 

Studies conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations show that there are around 100 000 tonnes of obsolete pesticide stocks in developing countries. Africa alone probably accounts for up to 48 000 tonnes. Obsolete pesticides cannot only be found in developing countries in Africa, the Near East, Asia and Latin America, they are also an environmental problem in many Central and Eastern European countries. The main hazard, however, is the acute toxicity of these pesticides. They present an acute and potential risk both for the community and the environment. These obsolete pesticides are not only a barrier to sustainable development in emerging countries, they arc also a hazard for the global environment. The countries concerned are not in a position to solve the problems on their own. They have neither die technical expertise, the facilities nor the necessary financial means. For this reason, it is essential that the OECD countries provide support. 

To address this situation, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH launched a pilot project in 1990 geared to the disposal of obsolete pesticides. Since then, environmentally sound disposal operations have evolved into a range of activities within the field of technical co-operation. The GTZ project disposed of more than 1800 tonnes of obsolete pesticide stocks in 8 developing countries in Africa and Asia. It also carried out several large-scale analytical surveys and prevention measures. 

The previous examples are no exceptions. There are similar situations in nearly all developing countries [3]. No type or chemical group of pesticides is excluded from obsolete pesticide stockpiles. Some stocks have been accumulated over a period of 50 years new products are being added to the stockpiles continuously. The key factors [4] that contribute to the accumulation of obsolete stockpiles in developing countries are these ... 

Obsolete pesticides are also a barrier to sustainable development in emerging countries. The disposal of obsolete pesticides is an expensive process. Developing countries have neither the financial nor the technical resources to cany out di sal operations, and therefore they have to depend on external funding. The money they need for disposal operations cannot be used for the development of the country, such as improvement of the infrastructure, the health sector or education projects. 

Obsolete pesticides and associated waste are classed as hazardous waste. Extensive training and sophisticated equipment are needed to deal with obsolete pesticides safely and appropriately. In industrialised countries entire facilities are available for the removal, transport and environmentally sound disposal of hazardous waste. In developing countries there is little expertise and no appropriate facilities for the management of hazardous waste. The problem becomes more difficult as a consequence of inadequate infrastructure, the wide dispersion of obsolete stocks and their deteriorated condition. The options available for the management or environmentally sound destruction of obsolete pesticides are extremely limited. 

The biological, chemical and physical techniques tend not to have what it takes for complete and ultimate disposal. The potential advantages would include, for example, reduction of the waste volume and/or of the environmental risks. While various research institutions in industrial countries are investigating new methods of disposal, each of them tends to focus on certain specific problems, usually on a small scale. Such methods and technologies are of only limited value for developing countries with real problems, where large quantities of obsolete pesticides and baseline pollution are in need of disposal. Often the waste in question does not consist of a pine substance but of a mixture made iq> of several substances that are no longer individually identifiable. In almost all... 

The removal and destruction of obsolete pesticides is an expensive process. The cost of toxic-waste disposal, and the procedures to be employed, depend on a number of parameters, such as the quantity and type of waste, the type of packaging, the location where the waste is stored and the infrastructure, as well as the method of disposal. After all, it costs between US 2,500 and 4,500 per tonne to return waste to an industrialised country. The above figures cover the cost of everything from stocktaking to final incineration. 

The problem of obsolete pesticide stockpiles and their disposal as well as the prevention... 

Basel Convention This is the most important convention. It is primarily concerned with the control of the international movement of hazardous waste, including obsolete pesticides, and their management. It is the legal basis for the Return to Sender approach. 

Directive 259/93 of the European Union It regulates the inport of hazardous waste back to the country of origin, mostly OECD countries. This was actually an instrument to prevent waste tourism , but it is also the most important tool and the legal basis for the re-import of the obsolete pesticide stocks back to Europe... 

During the First African Conference on Obsolete Pesticides Stocks in Rabat in January 2001, all African countries demanded in the Rabat Declaration directed to the OECD countries the urgent removal of the obsolete stockpiles in Africa. 

The problem of obsolete pesticide stocks in developing countries became serious at the beginning of the 90s because of the risks for human health and the environment. After a decade with a number of individual disposal operations organised and financed by national aid organisations, the international community has put this issue on their agenda, aiming to solve the problem through a number of international conventions and activities, e.g. ... 

FAO, Inventory of obsolete and unwanted and/or banned pesticide stocks in Africa and the Near East, 003/1999. 

GTZ Publication, Obsolete Pesticides, a Dangerous Legacy. Result of a Pilot Project on the Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides, can be found under http //www,gtz.de/chs... 

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