Reduce Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

Laboratory instruments containing vividly-colored fluids

Lacking the capacity to properly manage toxic chemicals, many developing countries cannot reap the benefits these substances could provide in agriculture, health care, manufacturing, and other sectors. Improper management and disposal of these 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.

To reduce the use and release of persistent bio-accumulative toxic substances (PBT's), like mercury and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), EPA provides technical assistance and capacity building to developing countries. EPA also works closely with many multilateral organizations to address the threats posed by PBT's 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.

POPs are targeted under the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty that addresses the dangers of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT, and several obsolete pesticides like toxaphene, in addition to 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.

	Collaboration - Capacity Building
Approach	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.

Reduce Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

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Collaboration - Capacity Building

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