Globally there are more than 100 000 chemicals in use. Furthermore, new chemicals are at an advanced stage of development. Although beneficial, chemicals also pose significant risks to human health and safety.
We encounter chemicals in everyday life due to their multiple purposes. Chemicals are essential as raw materials of industrial processes, pesticides for fumigating crops, pharmaceuticals, painting and mineral processing. Some chemicals are contained in detergents and household cleaning substances such as bleaches. The transport sector also relies on chemicals from the processing of crude oil. Substances such as gasoline and kerosene are essentially chemicals which can ignite to cause combustion processes and endless fires.
Chemicals have the potential to cause physical injuries if improperly managed as well as causing damage to environmental resources. Pollution of water bodies can arise due to chemical spillages. The effect of chemicals is further worsened by lack of awareness amongst communities on the dangers of chemicals.
Consumers should be educated on the hazards of chemicals and also be able to read chemical labels. This can enable consumer pressure to be exerted on hazardous chemicals. Alternative substances to hazardous chemicals also help to reduce the burden caused by hazardous chemicals.
In agriculture, extensive usage of pesticides is well known to cause water and land pollution. Farmers can adopt new farming methods such as integrated pest management, natural enemies and crop rotations.
Paint manufacturing also presents dangerous chemicals such as lead in paint. Alternative paints should be “lead-free”. In order to achieve this milestone, collaboration is necessary amongst key stakeholders including manufacturers, governments and civil society.
Small scale miners “makorokoza” also continue to the use of mercury and cyanide in the gold processing activities. These chemicals have potential to pollute water bodies in around the world. Through training on safe chemicals management, alternatives should be prioritised.
A chemical intensive economy is resulting in children born with birth defects, hormonal disturbances, illness and fatalities in humans and selected organisms.
