Guest Article #9 for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), 23 December 2014
by: Olga Speranskaya, IPEN Co-Chair, and Mariann Lloyd-Smith, IPEN Senior Policy Advisor
The global toxic threat is largely underestimated by many politicians and governments, despite it being a unique issue in that often one can point directly to those responsible for the pollution, degradation of the environment and the declining of human health. In 2001, Klaus Toepfer, then the Executive Director of UNEP, warned that basic human rights to life and health are ‘threatened by exposures to toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes, and contaminated drinking water and food.'
The standard, published through a Gazette Notification, will be mandatory and will regulate all paints imported to Nepal, as well as produced, sold, distributed and used in Nepal. It will be effective six months from now, and will require labels that show lead content and provide a precautionary message in order to avoid occupational exposures.
Kathmandu, 24 December 2014, Government of Nepal, Ministry of Science Technology and Environment (MOSTE) as per the provision of Environment Protection Act 1997 (Section 7 and Sub-section 3) Ban of Import, Sale, Distribution and Use of Asbestos (Corrugated , Non Corrugated Sheet, Tiles , Insulators) by publishing a notice in Nepal Gazette (Khand 64, Number 30, Part 5, Date December 22, 2014, Notice No. 4).
Jamidu Katima, SAICM Regional Focal Point for Africa, giving the intervention about a Global Alliance to Phase-Out Highly Hazardous Pesticides during plenary.
(Geneva) International delegates at a global forum set up to achieve sound management of chemicals worldwide, have agreed to address the problem of highly hazardous chemicals (HHPs). This action comes nearly thirty years after the role of pesticides in widespread sickness and death throughout the developing world was first revealed.
“These pesticides have caused millions of deaths worldwide and cause serious harm to farm animals, wildlife and the environment. Decades of experience has shown that, despite numerous ‘safe use’ programs, the ‘safe use’ of HHPs is not possible. We are extremely pleased to see the world community finally taking control of these substances seriously,” said Meriel Watts, Pesticide Action Network (PAN).
IPEN, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, U.S. Environment Protection Agency and United Nations Environment Programme, held a successful side event at the 2nd Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG2) meeting for the Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management (SAICM) titled: "Global Lead Paint Elimination by 2020: Where Are We At and What Will it Take to Succeed?." The event included presentations that informed attendees about the organization, mandate and work of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint; the serious health consequences of ingesting or inhaling lead, which can be lifelong; and the work that IPEN has done to promote the elimination of lead paint worldwide, in particular IPEN's Asia and Africa projects.
