Number of questions: [3]
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Posted on 19/02/2007 07:48:29 |
Hello Maged, I would like to ask whether there are any chemicals or poisonous substances which seriously threaten soil or water sources in Africa. Can you give me some particular examples?
Thanks,
Viktoria
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Viktoria (from Slovakia)
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Dear Viktoria,
The main risks to soil and water in Africa from chemical pollution are due to unjudicious use of pesticides, and to the presence of stockpiles of obsolete, banned or severely restricted pesticides. Human-made discharges and leachates from urban and industrial activities (including waste generation) and the intensification of agricultural cultivation (including an increase in urban agriculture) are the main causes for the presence of a number of chemicals in soil and water, including nitrates, ammonium salts, chlorine, sulphates, heavy metals, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons, and pesticides.
Maged
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Posted on 19/02/2007 04:30:11 |
Dear Maged,
I belong to developing country.In my country,there is no mechanism to check the import of toxic and banned chemicals.Firstly ,tell us the most convenient method to contol it.Secondly,My country is agricultural.Kindly tell us the cheapest procedure to check the quality of pesticides,herbicides,fungicides weedicides.Waiting for your reply.
With regards
Zaigham Abbas
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zaigham abbas (from Pakistan)
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Dear Zaigham,
The concerns you express have ben shared at the international level for a long time. To address these, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous chemicals and pesticides in International trade has been negotiated, and has entered into force on 24 February 2004. The convention addresses the export and import of hazardous chemicals and, by implication, their use and regulation. It deals with chemicals that are banned or severely restricted in some countries (particularly in industrialized regions), but that are still exported to other countries (particularly developing countries). It aims at facilitating information exchange of listed chemicals and at providing for a national decision-making process on their import and export.
You will find the information you require on the Rotterdam Convention website: www.pic.int, under the section on chemicals and in particular under the PIC circular mentioned in this section. You may also access the list of Annex III chemicals under this section as well as the list of designated national authorities or DNAs for the Rotterdam Convention (under the section entitled 'countries' on our web site). I trust this information will be helpful.
Kind regards.
Maged
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Posted on 19/02/2007 01:04:10 |
Hi,
I am a part-time housepainter from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. My question is: How dangerous are the fumes from oil-based paints and latex-based paints respectively. I've also done a lot of artwork and have the same question about artists' oil-based and acrylic-based paints. I especially wonder about the fumes from paint thinner and turpentine. Have there been a lot of studies on whether there is a higher incidence of cancers and lung problems for housepainters and artists? Thank you for any ideas that you might have on this issue.
John C. Brainard
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John Brainard (from United States of America)
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Dear John,
There is a vast body of literature addressing your questions, but I can give you a short overview here. Oil- based paints contain a number of volatile organic compounds, which may include benzene, xylene, propane, butane, paraffins, styrene and toluene, that may evaporate and be inhaled. When inhaled, they may, depending on the exposure level and time, cause a myriad of effects, particularly on the nervous system, ranging from headaches to concentration and memory impairment, fatigue and anxiety. Oil-based paints may contain, in addition, heavy metals. Latex- and acrylic-based paints are water-based and considered non-toxic. Oil-based and acrylic paints used by artists show no difference to the above.
There exists a variety of paint thinners. One of the most widely used is Stoddard Solvent, a petroleum mixture that smells like kerosene. Again, inhalation of this solvent may affect the nervous system with symptoms such as dizziness, headaches or a prolonged reaction time.Turpentine, another widely used thinner, is an irritant to skin, eye, mucous membrane and the respiratory tract. It may also cause nervous system effects similar to those induced by Stoddard's Solvent.
You should note, however, that toxicity is always a consequence of the level and the duration of exposure, and that household chemicals, including paints and thinners,can be handled safely.
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