Restricted Pesticides are a Global Health Risk

Introduction to Hazardous Chemicals

Hazardous Chemicals Should be Banned in all territories An article in the Daily Nation of Sunday, May 28, 2023, noted that hazardous chemicals that are banned in the EU are rampant in Kenya. Among the dangerous chemicals cited was Roundup, a glyphosate-based herbicide that has serious consequences for the environment. The article stated that 44% of chemicals used in Kenya are banned in the EU, yet they are imported from that region. Belgium (exporter of iprodiones and acetochlorines) and Spain (exporter of dechloropropene) are two major exporters of banned chemicals to Kenya.

Many hazardous agricultural chemicals have been banned in the West due to health and environmental risks. Some of these banned pesticides continue to be used around the world, especially in developing countries. This is due to various factors, including a lack of awareness about dangers as well as insufficient regulation and enforcement of existing laws in these nations. In many instances, corruption has also enabled problematic pesticide usage to persist, as manufacturers may pay officials to ignore negative impacts. As a result, rural communities and the land are regularly exposed to toxicity through direct contact and residues. The consequences on human and environmental well-being have been grave. Epidemiological studies have associated outbreaks of cancer endocrine disorders, and birth defects in both people and livestock with the long-term presence of these hazardous chemicals in the environment.

Strengthening legal frameworks while addressing corruption would help curb the use of harmful pesticides. Yields need not drop if these hazardous chemicals are not used. There are many natural alternatives to adopt as a replacement for banned pesticides. These include integrated pest management, which utilizes techniques like crop rotation, biological controls, and mechanical weeding to reduce synthetic use.

Biological controls involve using natural predators and parasites of pest species to keep populations in check. For example, introducing beetles that eat worm larvae can control infestations without the poisoning effects of chemicals. Organic farming prohibits synthetics altogether. Newer "reduced-risk" natural product pesticides are also gaining approval. Agroecological methods such as intercropping plants that repel or confuse insect pests support nature's resilience, with less intervention by man. Educational programs are also needed to teach these techniques. With investment in research and extension, biological and agroecological solutions can fill the void left by prohibitions of hazardous pesticides. 

Some Hazardous Chemicals, Banned or Restricted in the US and EU 

 Major chemicals banned or restricted in the US or EU but still used in other countries on the African continent and developing countries on other continents include but are not limited to the following:

1. Atrazine is a widely used herbicide that is banned in the EU but is still used in the US and other countries. It is banned or restricted in several states in the US due to groundwater contamination concerns.

2. Chlorpyrifos is a commonly used organophosphate insecticide. It is banned for home and garden use in the US but is still used on certain crops.

3. DDT is an insecticide that was widely used but banned in the US in 1972 due to environmental and health effects. It is still used in some developing countries to control malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.

4. Paraquat is a non-selective contact herbicide that is restricted in the US but is still used in other parts of the world. Some states and countries have banned it completely.

5. Aldicarb is a carbamate insecticide and nematicide banned in the US and Canada but still used in some countries. It is a highly toxic water pollutant.

6. Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide that has been phased out and banned in many countries, including India, but is still used to control pests on crops like tea, coffee, and cotton.

7. Dicofol is a banned pesticide in the EU but is used as an acaricide and insecticide in places like China, India, Brazil, and Argentina.

8. Lindane is a pesticide and termiticide banned in the EU but sometimes used illegally there. It is also used as a seed treatment in parts of Asia and Africa.

9. Methamidophos, a highly toxic pesticide, is an organophosphate, banned in EU and others countries. It still permitted for use in China, India and parts of Africa.

Long-term scientific research and increasing health standards have revealed their dangers to human health and the environment. Studies showed links to cancer, neurological impairments, and other illnesses after lengthy exposure. Runoff from intensive hazardous chemical usage also pollutes lakes, rivers, and groundwater. Wildlife such as birds, fish, and pollinator species like bees face population declines from toxic pesticides. To protect citizens and natural ecosystems, regulations must be tightened and restrictive bans put in place on the worst-offending substances. 

Some Hazardous Chemicals are not Covered in International Treaties 

Due to lack of international treaties governing the use of some hazardous chemicals, they may still be exported. This includes many pesticides banned under the Stockholm Convention.

The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty signed in 2001 that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These are hazardous chemical compounds that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have harmful impacts on humans and the environment. However, not all hazardous pesticides are designated under the convention. Hazardous chemicals not on this controlled list can still be traded between countries with less stringent regulations. This is how banned pesticides may be exported from producing nations to others, especially in the developing world.

While many agricultural chemicals pose clear health and environmental risks, differing standards between regions allow certain substances to persist in use in developing countries long after bans in the USA and the EU. For instance, atrazine is banned in the European Union due to contamination of water supplies, but it remains in legal use in some countries. Where laws permit higher residue levels or there is a lack of enforcement, hazardous pesticides will continue to be used. The inevitable results will spread through ecosystems and endanger rural communities. As difficult as it may seem at first, it will be necessary to harmonize regulations globally for the public and planetary good. 

 

How the US and EU Enforce Bans on Hazardous Chemicals 

The United States has a system to enforce bans on dangerous agricultural chemicals. The EPA maintains a list of restricted-use pesticides that require a license to purchase and apply. They conduct inspections of farms, warehouses, and retailer sites to ensure banned chemicals are not present. Any detection results in an investigation and potential penalties. If a farmer is found using a prohibited substance, they face stiff fines per violation along with possible prison time. The penalties get even steeper for subsequent offenses or large-scale illegal usage.

The EU also has robust systems to implement bans on hazardous chemicals. Each member state designates a competent authority to enforce REACH Regulation restrictions. They conduct on-site inspections of producers, importers, and users of banned substances. Any violations face penalties under national laws, which can include fines, license suspensions, and even imprisonment. However, the EU takes a more preventative approach through its authorization process. Under this, manufacturers must prove a restricted hazardous chemical is essential and poses minimum risk before any exempted use. If alternatives become viable, approvals are revoked. The EU also has a stronger "right to know" law requiring disclosure of all substances in products. Overall, both the US and EU prioritize compliance through enforcement, but the EU places greater focus on anticipating and eliminating threats proactively. 

Impact of Pesticides in Developing Countries

Vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children are especially susceptible to developmental harm. Nearby villages are also affected as hazardous chemicals drift into homes and contaminate play areas as well as community water sources.

Farm laborers face the greatest risks from direct contact with banned chemicals during preparation and application on the fields. This is mainly due to:

1. Absorption of hazardous chemicals through the skin or inhalation of toxic dust and droplets puts applicators at risk of acute poisoning.

2. Long-term, low-level exposures may cause neurological or hormonal issues, birth defects, and cancer from residues in food or water.

3. Lack of proper safety equipment and training—full protection with gas masks and protective clothing is rarely achieved in practice.

4. The costs of healthcare to treat impacts from hazardous chemical exposure place further burden on low-income populations. 

Effects of Hazardous Chemicals on Biodiversity 

 Hazardous agricultural chemicals can cause significant harm to the environment when they continue to be used. Some of these chemicals are highly persistent, remaining in the soil and water indefinitely. This allows them to accumulate in the food chain. Small amounts get absorbed by plants and accumulate in the tissues of animals that eat those plants. Larger predators then build up higher concentrations by consuming many of these contaminated prey animals, a process known as biomagnification up the food chain. Humans, fish, birds, and other wildlife can be fatally poisoned by ingesting the hazardous chemicals directly or by eating contaminated prey. 

Conclusion 

 Lax oversight in developing nations makes the continued use of hazardous chemicals possible. Farming communities need to be sensitized to transition to organic farming completely, not just as a fad, in order to realize the full environmental and health benefits of this sustainable practice long-term. Kenya is trying to sensitize farmers through the Pesticides Control Products Board (PCPB) but more needs to be done. By prioritizing affordable, healthy alternatives through education and policy support, global health and environmental protection can be advanced together. Opting instead for systems that utilize ecologically sound practices, like those followed by organic producers worldwide, allows farming to thrive in harmony with nature. 

Natural techniques, include habitat diversity, crop rotation, and organic soil amendments, cultivate resilience. These techniques do so without reliance on prohibited substances linked to rising diseases. Strict but fair standards aim to sustain both rural livelihoods and consumer well-being over the long term.

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References

https://nation.africa/kenya/ https://www.exim.gov 

https://shorturl.at/nryEK https://sustainagga.caes.uga.edu/