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Addressing Toxics, Hazardous Materials, and Solid Waste

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Improper management and disposal of toxic chemicals poses a threat to local and global environments. Once released into the environment, many of these substances can travel long distances and affect ecosystems and human populations far from the point of use or disposal. In addition, toxic chemicals can accumulate in the environment and pose long-term threats to human health. EPA works to reduce the use and release of toxics that can cause harm to humans and ecosystems, by providing technical assistance and capacity building to developing countries.

EPA works closely with multilateral organizations to address the threats posed by persistent bio-accumulative toxic substances (PBT's), like mercury, and to reduce the risks associated with the manufacturing, storage, and disposal of toxic chemicals. For instance, EPA is a key player in UNEP's Mercury Partnerships, which seek to reduce the use of mercury in key sectors and products worldwide.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are targeted under the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty that addresses the dangers of chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT, obsolete pesticides like toxaphene, and dioxins and furans. Although most developed nations, including the United States, have taken strong action to control POPs, a great number of developing nations only recently have begun to restrict the production, use, and release of these substances. EPA helps foreign partners better manage these materials.

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Featured Program

Program

Technical Cooperation: The EPA has worked with Arctic Council countries on the environmentally safe management of Russian Soviet-era stocks of obsolete and prohibited pesticides.

Result

Since 2003, 100 metric tonnes of obsolete and prohibited pesticides (making up 10 percent of Russia's stockpile) have been repackaged, chemically analyzed, re-labeled and safely stored.

 

Learn More:

  • Persistent Organic Pollutants: A Global Issue, A Global Response: exploring the health and environmental impacts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and what actions the United States and other nations are taking to address these pollutants.
  • Pesticides. EPA's international pesticide activities range from protecting the U.S. food supply to assisting developing countries to develop appropriate pesticide regulatory programs.
  • Pollution prevention and toxics. EPA works to promote community right-to-know objectives; as well as the safe manufacture, use, management and disposal of chemicals and heavy metals.
  • Expore a technology demonstration for Reducing Mercury Emissions from Small-Scale Gold Refining Facilities Exit EPA disclaimer

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