Study finds widespread illegal trade of hazardous chemicals
There are just over 50 chemicals that are covered by the Rotterdam Convention, which supports responsible trade of hazardous chemicals.
Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
A joint research team from Switzerland and China has found that nearly half of the total trade volume of hazardous chemicals subject to an international convention crosses national borders illegally.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jdp
“This prevalent illegal trade is highly concerning because it undermines global efforts to protect us and our environment from hazardous chemicals,” said Zhanyun Wang, lead researcher on the studyExternal link at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research.
The study, published on Monday in the journal Nature Sustainability, looked at the trade of 46 of the 54 chemicals covered by the Rotterdam Convention signed in 1998 to ensure the safe movement of hazardous chemicals such as mercury and various pesticides across borders. Under the convention, trade of the chemicals is only allowed if an importing country consents to their import – a measure intended to prevent the uncontrolled import of toxic chemicals by countries that lack the infrastructure to process and dispose of them safely.
Around 64.5 million tons of the 46 chemicals were traded from 2004 to 2019. Of these, 27.5 million tons were traded illegally, which means they were exported to countries that refused to import them. This is a conservative estimate as exports from the US aren’t included, as the country hasn’t ratified the Rotterdam Convention.
The high trade volume – legal and illegal – of certain chemicals is also concerning. For example, some 85% of total trade is of ethylene dichloride, a carcinogenic solvent used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a highly versatile plastic used in things from drainage pipes to medical devices. In second place, with 6.3 million tons, is the toxic reagent, disinfectant and pesticide ethylene dioxide.
The study also found trade of some substances that have been severely restricted or even banned for decades including older toxic pesticides such as chlordane and aldrin.
There are several reasons for the high trade volume suggest the authors including insufficient resources available to monitor chemicals trade, especially in developing countries, as well as unclear division of responsibilities between the environment ministries and customs authorities.
Switzerland was one of the first 60 countries to sign the Rotterdam Convention in 1998. In May 2023, Switzerland, Mali and Australia sponsored an amendment to strengthen the convention, intended to prevent countries from blocking the listing of hazardous chemicals.
Deeply Read
More
Science
Switzerland says it can’t afford to take part in Copernicus programme
Swiss summit divides: neutrality under fire amid Ukraine conference
This content was published on
Leading figures in the Swiss Peoples' Party have argued Switzerland should not have hosted this weekend's summit without Russia.
This content was published on
Art dealers, collectors, and gallery owners from around the world wrapped up several multi-million-dollar deals at Art Basel.
Zelensky wants to ‘make history’ at Swiss peace summit
This content was published on
While Swiss President Viola Amherd spoke of modest objectives at the two-day Summit on Peace in Ukraine, her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky was more proactive, saying he wanted to make history.
US announces $1.5 billion aid for Ukraine at Swiss peace summit
This content was published on
US Vice President Kamala Harris has announced more than $1.5 billion in aid in part for Ukraine’s energy sector and its humanitarian situation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Is 100% organic farming a revolution too far?
This content was published on
Organic farming is widely touted as a green and sustainable solution. The experiences of Sri Lanka and Switzerland show the reality is complicated.
Switzerland and pesticides: Toxic relationship or necessary evil?
This content was published on
Swiss voters will soon decide if they want an outright ban on synthetic pesticides. Are the claims made by supporters true? A look at the facts.
Swiss-made pesticide blamed for farmer deaths in India
This content was published on
The NGO Public Eye has accused chemical firm Syngenta of exporting banned pesticides that it blames for the death of cotton farmers in India.
Pesticide companies ‘seriously deficient’ on human rights, says UN toxics expert
This content was published on
The UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics believes pesticide companies and the Swiss government should do more to phase out hazardous chemicals.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.