2010年-世界发展银行全球_Reducing_the_Human_and_Environmental_Risks_of_Obsolete_Pesticides___A_GIS-Based_Tool_for_Priority-Setting_46页_5mb

Summary of "Reducing the Human and Environmental Risks of Obsolete Pesticides"

Core Content

This document presents a GIS-based tool for setting priorities in the safe management and elimination of obsolete pesticide stocks, focusing on the environmental and public health risks they pose. It outlines the methodology for risk assessment and provides case studies from Tunisia and other African countries.

Main Points

1. Obsolete Pesticides: A Global Issue

• Obsolete pesticide stocks have accumulated in most developing countries and economies in transition.
• The World Bank estimates that globally, about 500,000 tons of obsolete pesticides are stockpiled, with approximately 250,000 tons located in former Soviet Union countries.
• In Africa, there are about 50,000 tons of obsolete pesticides, while Latin America has at least 30,000 tons.

2. Risks from Obsolete Pesticides

• Obsolete pesticides can cause acute and chronic health effects, including nervous, immune, reproductive, and endocrine system disorders, as well as birth defects and organ damage.
• These chemicals may contaminate water sources, affecting livestock and crops, which are then used for human consumption.
• Many storage sites are now located near urban areas and ecosystems, increasing exposure risks.

3. International Commitments and Frameworks

• The Rotterdam Convention (1998) aims to prevent the unwanted importation of hazardous chemicals into developing countries.
• The Basel Convention (1999) focuses on preventing the transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries.
• The Stockholm Convention (2001) targets the elimination of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), with nine of the 12 POPs being pesticides.
• The GEF (Global Environment Facility), under the World Bank, provides funding for National Implementation Plans (NIPs) to manage POPs.

4. Role of the World Bank and GEF

• The World Bank, as a GEF-implementing agency, has extensive experience in managing chemicals and hazardous waste.
• It supports prioritized interventions to reduce the risks from obsolete pesticides, especially in Europe and Central Asia and Africa.
• In Africa, the Africa Stockpiles Programme (ASP) is a major initiative, with $60 million in funding to eliminate obsolete pesticide stocks and build capacity to prevent future accumulation.

5. Risk Assessment Methodology

• A four-step method is proposed for prioritizing cleanup operations:
  1. Characterize chemicals by active ingredient.
  2. Assign hazard indicators based on WHO toxicity rankings.
  3. Overlay geo-referenced population and environmental data with pesticide stock information.
  4. Identify hot spots for intervention based on the combined risk and vulnerability data.

Key Information

Characterizing Chemicals

• Active ingredients are identified and characterized for each pesticide formulation.
• Data on active ingredient properties is gathered from public and proprietary sources.
• The CAS number or correct spelling of the active ingredient is used for referencing.

Assigning Hazard Indicators

• Hazard indicators are assigned based on:
  • WHO toxicity rankings: Extremely Hazardous (Ia), Highly Hazardous (Ib), Moderately Hazardous (II), Slightly Hazardous (III), and Unlikely To Pose Health Hazard.
  • Chemical class and end use (e.g., organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, etc.).
  • Acute toxicity indicators (LD50 and LC50).

Overlaying Data for Risk Ranking

• Population and environmental data is overlaid with toxicity-weighted pesticide content to identify high-risk areas.
• Population data is collected from the most recent census, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women of child-bearing age and children under five years.
• Biodiversity and ecosystem data is also used to identify ecoregions and habitats at risk from pesticide contamination.

Identifying Hot Spots for Intervention

• GIS mapping is used to visualize risk levels and locate high-priority sites.
• In Tunisia, the Vaksh burial site and former warehouses are identified as high-risk areas.
• Highly hazardous pesticides (Ia and Ib) account for 5.8% of all stockpiles by volume.
• Over 78% of the toxicity-weighted volume of stockpiles is classified as high hazard for humans.

Case Studies and Highlights

Tunisia

• Stockpile locations are mapped using GIS to prioritize cleanup and destruction.
• Key hotspots include the Vaksh burial site, which contains 4,000 tons of POPs and 40,000 tons of contaminated soils.
• In-situ disposal is preferred over shipment to Europe due to cost-effectiveness.
• Priority is given to the most toxic pesticides (e.g., DDT, aldrin, dieldrin) due to their high market value and greater health risk.
• Private warehouses will be addressed if additional funding becomes available.

Africa Stockpiles Programme (ASP)

• A continent-wide initiative to eliminate obsolete pesticides safely and build capacity.
• Seven countries are targeted for full cleanup: Ethiopia, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Tunisia.
• Eight additional countries are undergoing preparatory activities.
• The ASP is supported by 16 partners, including FAO, GEF, World Bank, UNEP, and others.

Conclusion

• Prioritizing the safe management and elimination of obsolete pesticides is essential due to their high environmental and health risks.
• A GIS-based approach allows for spatial analysis and targeted interventions, integrating chemical properties, toxicity levels, and vulnerability data.
• The World Bank and GEF play a crucial role in funding and supporting priority-setting and cleanup efforts, especially in Africa and Central Asia.
• International cooperation and policy frameworks are vital for addressing this global environmental challenge.