More and more chemistry in developing countries

Rich countries are increasingly shifting use and production to poorer countries

05/09/2012

In developing countries, more and more harmful chemicals are used and manufactured. According to the current United Nations Environment Program UNEP, rich industrialized nations are increasingly relocating the use of chemicals to poorer countries. Around one million people die each year from the effects of chemicals.

The production and use of chemicals is increasingly causing major environmental and human risks in developing countries. The production and use of highly toxic pollutants are deliberately shifted from the rich countries to poorer areas by the corporations, because environmental regulations in poor countries are often not available or designed to be less strict. For example, in a recent report from the UN organization, the chairman of UNEP warns: "The benefits that chemicals can bring should not be at the expense of human health and the environment.".

Only a few chemical substances are examined closely
Of the 140,000 chemicals currently on the market, according to the report „very few are looking at possible health effects on humans and environmental pressures“. Poisoning by industrial and agricultural chemicals is among the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the report, around one million people die each year from the toxins. By the year 2020, the production of chemicals will increase rapidly. Especially affected by this „are the Middle East and Africa“. UNEP, based in Nairobi (Kenya), found an increase in the regions of over 40 percent in an evaluation. ascending trend.

The UNEP widely estimates that the economic damage to sub-Saharan countries, due to the massive use of pesticides alone, is greater than the total development assistance for primary health care. It is true that governments, corporations and international agreements in recent years have ensured that chemical use „with more responsibility“ but progress is not enough to protect people and the environment. „Chemical management is too slow“ so the summary of the UNEP. (Sb)