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UNEP leads eradication of chemical pollutants

Xinhua, February 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The U.N. Environmental Programme (UNEP) has identified major chemicals used mostly in the horticultural sector in some countries, including Kenya, for elimination as part of a new war to deal with the impact of chemical pollution blamed for increasing the disease burden.

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said Wednesday the organisation financed efforts by Kenya to stop the use of methyl bromide in pesticides used in the horticultural sector. This is after scientific research reports on the effects of the chemical pollutants.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, the UNEP Executive Director said the methyl bromide chemical, also known as one of the ozone layer depleting chemicals, was one among the over 100,000 chemicals currently being studied for their impact on the environment for possible elimination.

"The role of UNEP is to bring science and technology and assemble it for use by the whole world. We work with governments around the world to develop appropriate responses," Steiner told Xinhua.

Steiner was speaking after addressing a gathering of 300 delegates attending the preparatory meeting of the U.N. Environment Assembly's Open Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives to discuss strategies required to deal with environmental threats, among them, chemical pollution.

"UNEP is trying to demonstrate the centrality of the environment to the effective management of public health and the need for proper management of risks associated with chemicals," Steiner said.

According to the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Environment Judi Wakhungu, the disease burden caused by the environmental pollution was currently estimated at 28 percent of all reported health cases.

"We believe the disease burden could be higher. We see an increment in the respiratory diseases such as cancer, asthma and other diseases. Our approach is to reform the health and environment approaches within the government to deal with these diseases," Wakhungu said.

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