Togo concerned over disposal of chemical, biological waste

Togo's Environment and Forestry Resources Ministry has organized a three-day training seminar that began on Tuesday, on disposal of hazardous chemical and biological waste, an official source said Tuesday.

The training in Lome is part of the European Union funded project on "Disposal of hazardous chemical and biological weapons in African Atlantic Facade region and Tunisia."

The seminar aims to contribute to improvement or establishment of better practices in the disposal of biological waste in Togo, especially by fighting against nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical threats.

During the conference, stakeholders are expected to come up with disposal plans of hazardous waste and develop training programs for those involved in the handling of the waste.

The meeting's agenda includes discussion on definition and classification of hazardous biological waste; legal framework on disposal of biological and chemical waste and the challenge of waste from medical facilities in an African context.

Other issues under discussion include the impact of biological waste from medical facilities on health and environment; phases of disposal of waste from medical facilities and the technology for disposing off medical waste.

"Abusive use of chemical and biological waste presents risks and negative effects on health and environment, hence the need to control their use," an adviser to Togo's environment minister, Tata Amegboh, said.

"It is therefore important to develop policies, both at the national and international level, to alleviate the risks and dangers that these waste products could cause on human health," he concluded. Endit