Obsolete Pesticides in Ethiopia

Abstract

Obsolete pesticides are stocked pesticides that can no longer be used for their intended purpose or any other purpose and therefore require disposal. In Ethiopia, a survey carried out in 1997 revealed the existence o f over 1150 tones o f Obsolete Pesticide stock that require disposal. Among the stock included in the list, the majority are in the group o f Organochlorines which are persistent and dangerous. There are 117 different types of pesticides comprising o f several types o f formulations originating from different countries. The “Dirty Dozen Pesticides” which threaten the general public are widely found scattered all over the country. Obsolete Pesticides are time bombs. Unless immediate action is taken, they could result in acute long term health and ecological threat, causing groundwater contamination, leaching and other types of pollution. So far there are records o f misuse and mishandling and most o f the suicide records are reported to be associated with such stock. There are several recommended options o f disposal but the option selected for this case is shipment to a country with incinerator facility. The total cost required for disposal o f the obsolete stock is over 4.5 million USD which is now requested for assistance. Unless these pesticides are disposed, there is a high risk o f immediate and long-term causality. All concerned must therefore, act timely for the removal o f the available huge stock and work closely to avoid further accumulation o f obsolete pesticides