Project Reports

Nigeria is one of the largest importers of e-waste in Africa. In this project, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev) undertook a general impact assessment of the effects of this e-waste on workers. The project succeeded in creating a national database of the levels of risk associated with the e-waste, forming an NGO model for e-waste management, and creating awareness material that conveyed best handling practices.

Volgograd-Ecopress hosted a workshop on the use of non-combustion technologies for the elimination of obsolete pesticide stockpiles responsible for widespread environmental and human health impacts in Russia. With the participation of local authorities, academia, NGOs, and managers of industrial facilities, modern waste management technologies were presented and regional plans of action were discussed. A special case study of a successful pesticide elimination project using a non-combustion technology of biodegradation based on bioglauconite use was presented.

Using analyses of paint samples from manufacturing and importing companies servicing the Amman marketplace, Land and Human to Advocate Progress (LHAP) was able to create awareness about high levels of lead in paints found in everyday paints. Along with educational materials produced specifically with the results of the analyses, community discussion groups (3 public hearings) were conducted to further communicate the impact of lead in paint. Social media was also used to achieve widespread media and public notice.

To determine whether toys sold in Tunisia contain high levels of dangerous heavy metals, Association pour la Protection de l'Environnement et Developpement Durable de Bizerte (APEDDUB) had samples of 24 toys commonly found in schools and markets in the city of Bizarte analyzed. Results showed that most toys contained heavy metals. In addition, although both non-Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) and PVC made toys contained high levels of lead and cadmium, toys made with PVC have significantly higher levels of these heavy metals and therefore are far more toxic.

To examine the level of mercury contamination in face whitening products on the Thai market and to increase awareness among consumers about the danger of mercury and the importance of eliminating mercury from products, Ecological Alert and Recovery Thailand (EARTH) conducted sampling and an awareness-raising campaign. Results of the sampling confirmed that 20% of all face whitening products studied were contaminated with mercury, although limitations in the testing process indicate this could be higher.

Using waste management best practices modelled after those in the EU, Zelena akcija developed and implemented a pilot waste management program with a variety of activities involving local community organizations, government officials, and public citizens.

In Mali, the most common human exposure to mercury is through artisanal gold mining. Fondation pour le Développement au Sahel (FDS) / Sahel Development Foundation conducted a case study examining traditional gold mining in Kangaba Cercle. Through site visits, outreach and surveys with local authorities, miners, civil organizations, and ministries of the federal government, FDS was able to strengthen the awareness of many stakeholders, including local authorities and policy makers, about the dangers of mercury and the need to eliminate its use.

The EDEN Center conducted a ground-breaking assessment of the area around an abandoned battery plant to test for lead contamination. After a series of stakeholder meetings and workshops, residents of Uznova (Municipality of Berat) agreed to answer questions about lead exposure and give blood samples for testing. Air, soil, and water were also tested. A report with the findings of the assessment (and recommendations) was delivered to government agencies, shared with the community, and distributed through the media.

The districts located in the Syrdaryinskaya oblast contain numerous obsolete pesticide burial sites. Although officials maintain the safety of these burial sites, ARMON's independent assessment showed that these sites are leaking pesticides into the air and ground water, are not properly safeguarded against the theft of pesticides, and appear to be a major cause of adverse health impacts in the surrounding communities. In addition, ARMON identified several burial sites not accounted for by official government records, also leaking pesticides.