Documenting DDT Spraying, Production, Pollution and Alternatives in Zambia

The overall objective of this project was to reveal the ongoing proliferation of DDT pollution in manufacturing and use and cite important non-chemical alternatives to increase pressure for acting on this ongoing use in Zambia, one of the countries that had registered an acceptable purpose for DDT use within the Stockholm Convention and is considering re-registering. Zambia Consumer Associationcarried out this project through literature review, field visits, and interviews with policy makers, amongst other activities. At the culmination of the project, ZACA also provided recommendations for the government:

1. As it’s a requirement under the Stockholm Convention that Parties should only use DDT when locally safe, effective and affordable alternatives are not available, we recommend that Zambia invests in research and development of the non-chemical, indigenous products identified in this study to commercial use so that they can serve as viable alternatives in place of DDT.
2. Since 2015 the country has been considering the re-registration of DDT for IRS. The Ministry of Health and Zambia Environmental Management Agency must ensure that the capacity of the NMCC to assist the government with Stockholm Convention reporting requirements is strengthened so as to allow for regular monitoring if they eventually decide to re-register their exemption for DDT.
3. The government to ensure all malaria control programs involve respective communities for them to be effective and sustainable towards long-term toxics-free solutions to malaria control in the country.
4. ZACA strongly recommends not to re-register exemption for DDT use.

This project relates to Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, 6, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Special thanks to IPEN's Anglophone Africa Regional Coordinator Silvani Mng'anya and IPEN"s Anglophone Africa Regional Hub AGENDA for their important contributions to the development and finalization of the project.