Environmental Security Assessment and Management of Obsolete Pesticides in Southeast Europe


Book Description

The present work is a fine contribution to the broad field of environmental security in the context of risk assessment and management of obsolete pesticides for the region of Southeast Europe. The purpose of this book is to evaluate the existing knowledge of improper disposal of obsolete pesticides in the region, to estimate the associated impact on environmental health, and to develop recommendations to mitigate or eliminate threats posed to the environment, biodiversity and human life. The issues discussed in the book include: reviews of the transport and fate of pesticides and associated contaminated materials in different environmental media and identification of the principal sources, emission routes and patterns of environmental pollution with pesticides; a recognition of the most suitable methods for environmental sampling analysis and sample preparation; an evaluation of the current methods and techniques for chemical and mass analysis of environmental and biological samples and discussion of the metrological and quality aspects of trace analyses; a characterization of the environmental and human health impacts of pesticide pollution, the health effects associated with acute and chronic exposure and the use of epidemiological data for risk assessment; a revision of the existing chemical safety regulations and strategies for protection and management of obsolete pesticide stocks; a survey of the international conventions, directives and standards concerning pesticide use.




Obsolete Pesticides: A ticking time bomb and why we have to act now


Book Description

Pesticides become obsolete when they can no longer be used for their intended purpose because they have been banned on account of their prolonged impact on the environment and/or because they cannot be used due to age, deterioration or a change of specification of currently applied pesticides. This problem has been addressed by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which was ratified by most EU member states and many but not all non-EU countries from Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. It entered into force in 2004. The Convention and the subsequent National Implementation Plans (NIPs) drawn up by signatories have addressed the problems to some extent, notably within the EU. Within the EU, producers have been legally obliged to manage obsolete pesticides (OPs), including organising their collection and destruction according to EU laws applicable to hazardous waste management. With EU enlargement, EU law has consequently become applicable to the new member states as well. The process has been accelerated by EU programmes such as PHARE or national programmes established by some member states. However, implementation of the provisions of the Stockholm Convention on their own is hardly sufficient to effectively deal with the risks associated with OPs. The Convention only deals with nine specific OPs (hereafter called Persistent Organic Pollutant or POP pesticides), which represent a small proportion of the total number that are obsolete. In addition, and in close geographical proximity to the EU, problems remain, especially in South-East Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union.




Environmental Management Tool Kit for Obsolete Pesticides - Volume 6


Book Description

Environmental Management Tool Kit Volume 6 is intended to provide practical methods to assist countries in the formulation of strategies for the management of pesticide contaminated land. As risk reduction largely depends on the accuracy of site investigation and associated risk assessment this document is meant to be used in close conjunction with EMTK Volume 5, the outputs of which are critical in the design of pesticide contaminated land environmental management plans. The previous volumes of the FAO EMTK series (Volumes 1- 4) are designed to assist countries with the risk management of obsolete pesticide stocks. From a wider perspective the approaches used to deal with obsolete stocks and contaminated land are similar. For both contaminated land and obsolete stocks the first step requires a preliminary risk assessment to prioritize sites in terms of urgency for risk management and to estimate the absolute risk. Due to the nature of contaminated land, an additional series of assessment steps (further described by EMTK5) are required to understand what is going on below ground and how this affects risk, that are not required for obsolete stocks, the risks for which can largely be understood from a single visit to each site. Where the risk management of obsolete stocks and contaminated land differ is in the number and types of disposal options and risk reduction techniques required. As risk management of contaminated land requires dealing with larger sources, usually at lower concentrations, and the escape of and exposure to contaminants in many different ways.




Environmental Management Tool Kit for Obsolete Pesticides - Volume 5


Book Description

Within the remit of reducing world hunger FAO has been extensively involved with pests and pesticides management. Based on the experience gained over the past 20 years FAO has developed a series of tools which allow a risk based approach to dealing with obsolete pesticide stocks considering the potential impact on both public health and the wider environment. This has led to the development and publication of the Environmental Management Tool Kit Series. The methodologies presented in these tools have been developed to provide a sound technical baseline for implementation of pesticide inventory, obsolete stock site prioritization and safeguarding projects in developing and developed countries in many regions across the globe. They have a solid foundation in international regulations from the US and Europe and so can be considered as complying with international best practice for worker and environmental safety. Despite the implementation of projects resulting in the removal of the above ground stocks, pesticide legacy problems persist that affect the ground beneath the sites and the groundwater passing through it. In many cases the grounds at these sites present a greater risk to human health and the wider environment than the original pesticide stockpiles which are often sent for environmentally sound disposal. To assess the particular risks posed by pesticide contaminated land, FAO has developed a fifth tool in the EMTK series, the EMTK 5. The conclusions drawn from using EMTK5 enable the development of a national contaminated land risk management plan and site level risk reduction strategies which




Pesticide Toxicology and Risk Assessment


Book Description

With the emergence of new pesticide combinations and application methods, assessing their potential risks to non-target organisms and human well-being becomes paramount. Pesticide Toxicology and Risk Assessment focuses on the need and strategies for safe and efficient use of pesticides. It offers insights from toxicogenomics, enabling an understanding of the genetic and epigenetic factors influencing human susceptibility to chemical toxicity, thereby quantifying their impacts. This book underscores the significance of risk assessment methodologies considering real-time variables influencing pesticide exposure to the environment and humans. It provides comprehensive details about models designed to evaluate risks across a spectrum of scenarios, from worst-case to real-time situations, while outlining strategies to mitigate these risks proactively. Furthermore, this book delves into the critical need for conducting field studies, particularly in addressing innovative combinations and application techniques. Key Features: • Covers toxicogenomic insights, delving into genetic and epigenetic impacts on human susceptibility to chemical toxicity • Provides insight into necessary field studies for new pesticide approaches • Aids pesticide manufacturers with risk assessment and effective formulation insights As an aid for regulatory bodies, the book facilitates the evaluation of risks linked to both established and innovative pesticides, promoting informed decisions on usage by integrating risk reduction approaches. Simultaneously, it serves as a valuable guide for pesticide manufacturers, offering insights into using risk assessment tools to develop secure and effective pesticide blends. This guidance expedites the introduction of novel pesticides that are efficient and safe for various applications.




Public Health Risk Assessment for Human Exposure to Chemicals


Book Description

This book provides a concise, yet comprehensive overview of the many facets relating to human health risk assessments in relation to chemical exposure problems. It presents some very important tools and methodologies that can be used to address chemical exposure and public health risk management problems in a consistent, efficient, and cost-effective manner. On the whole, the book represents a collection and synthesis of the principal elements of the risk assessment process that may be used to more effectively address issues pertaining to human exposures to chemicals found in modern societies. This also includes an elaboration of pertinent risk assessment concepts and techniques/methodologies for performing human health risk assessments. Written for both the novice and the experienced, the subject matter of this book is an attempt at offering a simplified and systematic presentation of public health risk assessment methods and application tools – all these facilitated by a layout that will carefully navigate the user through the major processes involved. A number of illustrative example problems are interspersed throughout the book, in order to help present the book in an easy-to-follow, pragmatic manner.




Environmental Pollution and Remediation


Book Description

This book presents state-of-the-art environmental remediation processes. Environmental protection and management is a global concern, especially in the context of industrial regions. Over the years, several conventional, engineering-based physicochemical decontamination methods have used in the remediation of polluted sites. However, these methods are expensive and have limited efficiency. Drawing on research and examples from around the world, this book offers a comprehensive review of and insights into green technologies and sustainable remediation alternatives. It discusses the emerging importance of nanotechnology, chemo and biosensors, indicator species, microbe-based remediation of organic compounds, and ex-situ remediation methods. Addressing the growing global need for a holistic overview of the environmental remediation of polluted sites, it will appeal to teachers, researchers, scientists, capacity builders, and policymakers. It also serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of biotechnology and environmental sciences.




Water Resources Management for Rural Development


Book Description

Water Resources Management for Rural Development: Challenges and Mitigation provides an overview of the current challenges of rural water and its management strategies. The content contains practical and theoretical aspects of the water crisis in rural areas in a changing climate era, with an emphasis on recent water crisis research and management strategies. The book's structure contains fundamentals of water resources, pollution, remediation, supply and management strategies. Case studies included provide different water-related issues around the globe, introducing the reader to the paths of reducing the burden on the groundwater and the alternative options for the supply of water in rural areas. Decision-makers and water supply authorities will benefit from this unique resource that comprehensively covers rural water management in ways no comparable book has achieved. Includes case studies that follow a consistent template, providing the reader with easy to find real-life examples Covers a wide spectrum of topics related to water resources as written by experts in their field Provides information on the identification of technologies and instruments required for the management of, and safe supply of, water




Environmental Management Tool Kit for Obsolete Pesticides: A. Environmental risk assessment. B. Prioritization of stores. C. Regional prioritization and risk tracking


Book Description

Stocks of obsolete, unwanted and banned pesticides continue to represent a serious public health and environmental threat, particularly in developing countries. This tool kit, in three volumes, has been developed for country project managers, officers of government ministries of agriculture, environment and health, and regional and district officers and storekeepers, to support them in planning all the steps of a safe disposal programme. Vol. 1 covers: A, Environmental risk assessment; B, Prioritization of stores; C, regional prioritization and risk tracking.




Wastewater Treatment


Book Description

Wastewater Treatment: Recycling, Management, and Valorization of Industrial Solid Wastes bridges the gap between the theory and applications of wastewater treatments, principles of diffusion, and the mechanism of biological and industrial treatment processes. It presents the practical applications that illustrate the treatment of several types of data, providing an overview of the characterization and treatment of wastewaters, and then examining the different biomaterials and methods for the evaluation of the treatment of biological wastewaters. Further, it considers the various types of industrial wastewater treatment, separation, and characterization of industrial wastewater. The book serves as a valuable resource for practicing engineers and students who are interested in the field of wastewater treatment. Features: Presents the latest technologies in water treatment, including nanomaterials for industrial wastewater Covers different treatments for various industrial wastewaters, including chemical and pharmaceutical waste Includes forward-thinking analysis including conclusions and recommendations for water reuse programs