Assessment of the Status of Obsolete Pesticide Stocks in Selected Parts of Ethiopia

Ethiopia like most sub-Saharan countries had been suffered by obsolete pesticides accumulated at various places across the country. Disposal of obsolete pesticides in Ethiopia had been inadequate and presently huge quantities of obsolete pesticide stocks are found accumulated in substandard stores owned by ministry of health, ministry of agriculture and various investors, presenting potential risks to nearby residents and the environment. This assessment study of obsolete pesticide stocks’ status was aimed at evaluating the status and effects of obsolete pesticide stocks on public health and the environment and indicate a corrective action. The methodology employed to collect data was field observation, interviews and questionnaires dispatched to study site residents. Results of the study indicated that obsolete pesticide stocks were depreciated, kept in torn out drums, burst open sucks, indiscriminately mixed up with other chemicals, exposed to sunlight, wind drift and runoff water and easily accessible to animals and humans. Thus obsolete pesticide stocks accumulated in inefficiently secured stores could be a threat not only to public health and the environment but also to the fast growing economy of the country. Awareness raising and training given to the public on the dangers involved with obsolete pesticide stocks was inadequate. To aware the community and conduct further research to ascertain the actual situation of obsolete pesticide stocks accumulated across the country need to be carried out before the present situation causes more social and environmental problems. The economy of developing countries is agriculture dependent and used pesticides to protect pests against insects, fungi, weeds as well as to increase agricultural yields. Ethiopia with a population of about 97 million is dependent on agriculture for food and other basic necessities. Pesticide use in Ethiopia began in the 1940’s and its use increased steadily with developments in increased food production and expansion in floriculture. Pesticides become obsolete with the passage of time and lost their efficacy to be used for their intended original purpose and therefore require disposal [1,2]. Ethiopia has accumulated obsolete pesticide stocks due to prolonged storage of pesticides, inadequate control over pesticide importation, inappropriate storage conditions because of poor storage facilities and lack of monitoring system for pesticide use in the country [3]. However, Chemical pesticides, regardless of their hazard, are used intensively in the fast changing agricultural sector of the country [4,5]. Stockpiles of obsolete pesticides are in a deteriorated condition, poorly stored and located close to agricultural fields, housing and water supplies, causing unavoidable risks to human health, ground and surface water and the environment. The impact of obsolete pesticides is greatest on disadvantaged people who scavenge for empty pesticide containers which are used for carrying food, water, etc. with little awareness of the dangers involved [6]. Pesticides stored in unsafe places run off into ground and surface water, exposing entire populations to chronic and acute health risks. Many pesticides persist in the environment, are often transferred