Overview

 
Dangerous and outdated pesticides, most of which have been banned in the US and EU, still pose an immense threat to the health and environment of many developing nations. Many of these pesticides are highly toxic, environmentally persistent chemicals. Developing nations purchase outdated pesticides because they are cheaper. Aid organizations or industrialized nations may offer excess pesticides as donations to developing nations, which lack the means and the funds to dispose of old pesticides. Poor legislative abilities and lack of research also contribute to the problem. Illiteracy and lack of information puts workers at risk, who often fail to protect themselves. These pesticides are also stored in substandard conditions, where they leak, contaminating soil and water. (sources: FAO, PAN-UK, Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, Africa Recovery)

"Most developing countries are left with large stocks of obsolete pesticides. Generally, these are excess pesticides that can no longer be used because they have deteriorated as a result of prolonged storage, or because their use has been banned while they were still kept in store. They are now regarded as hazardous waste. Due to lack of environmentally sound disposal facilities in developing countries, the total volume of such stocks is gradually increasing. Most of the stocks are kept in sub-standard stores and are in a deplorable state. Drums are stored in the open, exposed to direct sunlight and rain. As time goes by, containers deteriorate and start leaking. This process is often accelerated by unfavourable climatic conditions. These obsolete stocks invariably pose a severe threat to human health and the environment, particularly if they are located in urban areas or near water bodies, which unfortunately is often the case. Ground water, irrigation water and drinking water are at risk. Direct exposure of human beings, livestock or food is another danger. Disasters caused by obsolete pesticides can be expected if adequate action is not taken to address the present situation."
(source: Pesticide Action Network UK)

Resources

• Africa Recovery, United Nations. "Pesticide 'time bomb' ticking in Africa: Toxic dumps threaten people, livestock and land." Africa Recovery, 15, 1-2 (2001): page 42.

• Brown, VJ. "Old Pesticides Pose New Problems for Developing World." Environ Health Perspectives. 2001 December; 109(12): A578-A579. (Full text PDF, see page 3.)

• el Sebae AH. "Special problems experienced with pesticide use in developing countries." Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 1993 Jun;17(3):287-91. (Abstract only.)

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Prevention and Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides

• Pesticide Action Network UK: Obsolete Pesticides in Context; Obsolete Pesticides in Developing Countries

• Pesticide Action Network Africa (PAN-Africa): Africa Stockpiles Program

• World Bank Energy and Environment Research. 2009. Toxic Waste from Obsolete Pesticides: A Growing Threat in Developing Countries.