Chemicals and toxic waste management program

Introduction:

Chemicals are increasingly being used in nearly all sectors of the Kenya’s economy and represent a significant proportion of the country’s imports. For example, chemicals contributed to a bout 16.5% of all the imports in 2005 and 2006.

 

Whereas use and disposal of chemicals are both public and environmental health hazards, inadequate attention from relevant sectors including the government is continually being witnessed. In the global arena, a number of chemicals have been classified to be toxic and their use in the manufacturing of various products is limited or banned.

 

As an important player in ensuring a safe and clean environment, Eco-Ethics Kenya is concerned with the ignorance portrayed by “common consumers” and informal sector artisans on specific toxic chemicals and substances. Our chemicals and toxic waste management program has therefore been developed to respond to such challenges and at least bridge the gaps.

 

Presently, the program focuses on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals and Greenhouse Gases. POPs have a wide range of potential adverse human health and environmental effects including disruption of the endocrine system and being carcinogenic. The Stockholm convection on POPs calls upon parties (including Kenya) to develop National Implementation Plans to eliminate or limit the use and production of POPs. Lead, Mercury and Cadmium are some of the known toxic heavy metals.  

 

Reducing unintentionally POPs (dioxins and furans) produced by informal economy