Characterization of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and its adverse effects on environment and public health in Rwanda
Abstract
There is alow awareness level among the general populace and relevant stakeholders on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and their adverse effects on human health and the environment. This often results in the continued use of POPs in agriculture as pesticides, industrial chemicals, and production of unintentional POPs from incineration, open burning, and other practices that add to the POPs level in Rwanda. Thus, all stakeholders have a responsibility in the process but due to the lack of awareness about the issue they are notable to fulfill this role. With increased awareness, concrete steps can betaken towards the elimination of POPs in Rwanda. The identification of the stakeholders and their roles in the waste management in Rwanda, toolkit for POPs identification and quantification, Desk Review and Field visits have been used to characterize and assess the management of POPs in Rwanda. The most commonly encountered POPs in Rwanda, are organochlorine pesticides, industrial chemicals, most notably polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), as well as unintentional by-products of many industrial processes, especially polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF). The POP pesticides are temporarily stored in the Nyanza-Kicukiro dumpsite. These POPs pesticides are Endosulfan 3% dust (1,748 kg) and Lindane (mixed with Thiram (Fernasan 45%WP): 1,280 kg. The country contains around 1,905.9 kg of PBDEs and both transport sector and electronic sector have almost the same contribution as their contents are around 935.9kg and 966.1 kg respectively. The production of iron and steel from metallic wastes (scraps) are producing the UPOP releases of 4000 g TEQ/a in air and 6000 g TEQ/a in residues and waste incineration of medical wastes released 42.1 g TEQ/a in air and 104.6 g TEQ/a in residue. And other sources are producing UPOP releases at low level. The contaminated sites are Nyanza, Nduba landfill, Nyabugogo wetland and Gikondo industrial Park. The workers who recycle and dispose of POPs are exposed to dangerous materials and the environment suffers from them. This paper is intended to characterize the POPs and waste management in Rwanda in order to characterize the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and build capacities of vulnerable communities for the sound environmentally management of chemicals and wastes and transforming waste into resources of greater value for reuse. This paper can be considered as one of primary form of intervention related to persistent organic pollutants and waste management in Rwanda.
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Introduction
1.1 Background The Republic of Rwanda became a Party to the Stockholm Convention in order to work in liaison with the International Community in order to tackle problems arising from the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The Stockholm convention covers the management of POPs harmful to human and environmental health. The release of POPs is a factor of aggravation of poverty in developing countries and hinders the governments’ efforts for a sustainable development (Stockholm Convention, 2009). Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances that persist in the environment, bio accumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment (Maren Mellendorf, UNIDO). This group of priority pollutants consists of pesticides, industrial chemicals (such as PCBs) and unintentional by-products of industrial processes like dioxins and furans (UNEP, 2011).
In addition to their toxicity, POPs are Persistent chemicals in the environment, and do not easily degrade in the environment (that resist rapid degradation); undergo or travelling long distance globally (transport through air, water and migratory species across international boundaries far from their place of release); are bio accumulating in people and wildlife; They are usually fat soluble and buildup in higher trophic levels; they accumulate in terrestrial, marine and aquatic ecosystems far from their origin; as semi-volatile compounds, POPs undergo a series of evaporations and condensations in the environment, making them mobile.
The national challenge posed by chemicals in agriculture (pesticides & fertilizers) and waste management in Rwanda is multifaceted, with human health risks associated with it being a key area of concern. The general concern is that Rwanda might suffer from air, water and soil pollution, food contamination, soil microorganisms decline, vector-borne diseases for animals and plants/crops, diseases, insect pests and diseases of grains, seeds and crops with higher frequency and greater intensity. The sound management of chemicals and wastes is an important component of Rwanda’sefforts to achieve sustainable, inclusive and resilient human development in Rwanda. It’simperative to advocate for integrating chemicals management priorities intonational environmental and poverty reduction planning frameworks, helps access financial and technical resources, and provides assistance and implementation support to improve the holistic management of chemicals and waste at national level. 1.2 Problem justification There is alow awareness level among the general populace and relevant stakeholders on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and their adverse effects on human health and the environment. This often results in the continued use of POPs in agriculture as pesticides, industrial chemicals, and production of unintentional POPs from incineration, open burning, and other practices that add to the POPs level in Rwanda. Thus, all stakeholders have a responsibility in the process but due to the lack of awareness about the issue they are notable to fulfill this role. With increased awareness, concrete steps can betaken towards the elimination of POPs in Rwanda. The locally generated domestic waste such as municipal wastes, kitchen waste, medical waste and industrial waste and unintentionally produced chemicals continue to be generated. Also, the capacity is still limited under both public and private sectors in terms of technology as well as human skills to properly handle and reduce discharge and/or transfer of waste into more useful resources. However, without sound management practices, chemicals and their hazardous wastes can pose significant risks to human health and the environment especially for the poorest members of the local community.
Further, at present, various activities relative to waste management such as waste collection, waste selection and recycling, and waste dumping are conducted by various entities without having knowledge or skills, techniques and any harmonized institutional framework. Some activities are done inefficiently and it is missing the chance to maximize reusing and recycling, and minimize landfill site discharge (Basel Convention, 2003). If left unchecked, this will have adverse impacts on environment in general and on human health in particular. Therefore, Sound waste management is one of the serious and pressing environmental issues that the urban areas in Rwanda are now facing. It’s in this framework that this study was conducted to characterize the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and build capacities of vulnerable communities through CBOs to address chemicals and waste management in Rwanda. The public awareness on POPs effects to human health and the environment will be raised. Safe and proper handling of chemicals and waste management promoted and therefore the production, use, and/or release of POPs should be reduced or eliminated.
Conclusion
In general, in Rwanda, there are the releases of POPs/chemicals and wastes. This affects the environment and public health negatively according to the frequency and period of exposure. The vulnerable communities (waste collectors and local communities) should be trained on chemicals and waste management, Best Available Techniques/Best Environmental Practices and proposed together the way forward to apply with BAT/BEP measures needed to reduce or eliminate the releases of POPs and technical guidelines of environmentally sound management of wastes including chemicals. The study proposed the recommendations to be put into action for the efficient results to adapt Best Available Techniques/Best Environmental Practices (BAT/ BEP) to reduce the emissions of POPs/chemicals and waste management for protecting the environment and public health.
Therefore, the collaboration and ownership of various stakeholders including local authorities, communities, Civil Based Organizations, Private Sector and academic institutions should be important for effective and efficient management towards POPs free environment and waste management for sustainable development. Without environmentally sound management of wastes; public health can lead to significant environmental degradation and pollution. The contribution of local communities, especially the waste collectors in cooperatives and companies should be more effective to achieve the management of chemicals and wastes and pollution control thus save the environment.
