Heavy Metals, Human Health -.::PROBICOU
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HEAVY METALS, HUMAN HEALTH AND OUR ENVIRONMENT Industrial workers improvise using sacks as protective gear, source: PROBICOU File photo Chemical discharge oozing out of an industry. This is a publication by: Pro-biodiversity Conservationists in Uganda (PROBICOU), Pro-biodiversity Conservationists in Uganda (PROBICOU), Plot 181 Bombo Road, Crown House Building (Ku-Biiri)P.O Box 34407 Kampala, Uganda Plot 181 Bombo Road, Crown House Building (Ku-Biiri)P.O Box 34407 Kampala, Uganda TEL: +256-414-532676, +256-782-393912, +256-712- 666340 TEL: +256-414-532676, +256-782-393912, +256-712- 666340 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Email: [email protected], [email protected] Supported by: The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) H EAVY METALS, HUMAN HEALTH AND OUR ENVIRONMENT H EAVY METALS, HUMAN HEALTH AND OUR ENVIRONMENT Editorial team Robert Tumwesigye Baganda (Coordinator) Editorial REFERENCES Lee, C-H., Chang, S-L., Wang, K-M., Wen, L-C., 2000. Management Dr. David Ogaram 1. (3) K. Jay and L. Steiglitz, “Identifi cation and Quantifi cation of Vola- of scrap computer recycling in Taiwan. Journal of Hazardous Materials Consultant Toxicoligist tile Organic Components in Emissions of Waste Incineration Plants,” A73, 209–220. Mr. Paul Twebaze CHEMOSPHERE Vol. 30, No. 7 (1995), pgs. 1249-1260, identifi ed the (Program offi cer- Waste Management) Management of Heavy following volatile organic chemicals emitted from a solid waste incinera- Liu X, Tanaka M, Matsui Y. Electrical and electronic waste management tor stack: Ms. Sharifah Nakigozi in China: progress and the barrier to overcome. Waste Manag Res (Program offi cer- Biodiversity Conservation) 2. Grateful appreciation to Greenpeace UK, Canonbury Villas Lon- 2006;24:92–101. Metals –A global Agenda don N1 2PN whose publication ‘Incineration and Human health State of knowledge of the impacts of waste incinerators on human health’ We welcome you to yet another excit- raise awareness in the public. Greenpeace 2001 provided much of the information for this article. Musson, S.E., Jang, Y.-C., Townsend, T.G., Chung, I.-H., 2000. Charac- ing magazine on heavy metals, human The low awareness on heavy metals in 3. Health Impacts of Waste Management policies terization of lead leachability from cathode ray tubes using the toxicity health and our environment. Sustain- the country has contributed to gross characterization leaching procedure. Environmental Science & Technol- able chemicals management is one of 4. Edited by P.Nicolopoulou-Stamati, L.Hens and C.V. Howard ogy 34, 4376–4381. misuse of this category of chemicals the most critical global challenges that 5. PROBIOU is committed to raise awareness on the effects of chemi- that would have otherwise been easy require the effort of all of us. Both re- cals on both human health and the environment. PROBICOU will con- to manage. The limited knowledge on Osibanjo, O; Nnorom, I.C. (2007) Electronic waste (e-waste): Material cent and current events continue to tinue to advocate for a non toxic free environment. PROBICOU aspires Contents management of heavy metals has also fl ows and management practices in Nigeria. Waste management 28 demonstrate our vulnerability to poor to cause an indelible mark on this planet earth because sustainable • Editorial culminated into increased economic (8): 1472-1479. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2007.06.012. available online at management ecology and environment are fundamental factors for continued civi- • Heavy metals and our health costs associated with high environmen- lized existence on earth. Please join us for this noble cause. www.sciencedirect.com • Civil Society Statement on Mercury In the aftermath of the 1992 United Na- tal impacts, water treatment and health and Other Heavy Metals of Concern tions Conference on Environment and costs. Costs associated with response to Osibanjo, O; Nnorom, I.C. (2007), The challenge of electronic waste Development (UNCED) Rio de Janerio, chemical accidents and eventual health BAN, 2005. The digital dump: exporting re-use and abuse to Africa. • Lead for car batteries poisons an Basel Action Network. October, 24, 2005. Jim Puckett (Editor). <www. (e-waste) management in developing countries. Waste management where new environmental issues were risks are increasing at a very fast rate. African town ban.org>. & research 25:489-501. doi: 10.1177/073424x07082028. (international identifi ed for deepened international Highly toxic heavy metals cannot be solid waste association, iswa). available online at www.sagepub.com/ • Sweden bans mercury cooperative actions, the international confi ned within industries, academic journalsprodmansub.nav • Energy Saving bulbs being distributed environmental agenda has undergone institutions, and households where Finlay A. E-waste challenges in developing countries: South Africa case by World Bank contain mercury which signifi cant expansion. One of the most they are used. The air and water spread study. APC Issue Papers. Association for Progressive Communications. Osibanjo, o; Nnorom, I.C (2007) Material fl ows of mobile phones and important of new issues has been en- them so far and wide, compromising the November 2005. http://www.apc.org. is being phased out in the world. accessories in Nigeria: Environmental implications and sound end-of- hanced chemicals management which quality of life and eroding the ecological • Chemical pollution feminizing men life management options. Environmental impact assessment review still presents a major challenge to inter- structure and human substance basis. • E-waste and heavy metals; a global Fichter, K., 2003. E-commerce: sorting out the environmental conse- 28:198-213. doi: 10.1016/j.eiar.2007.06.002. available online at www. national community. Their negative environmental impact is quences. Journal of Industrial Ecology 6 (2), 25–41. sciencedirect.com health and environmental challenge. felt even in remotest areas. • A letter to the US President , Obama Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium are becoming a Understanding of heavy metals and about Mercury concern for everyone because of their their potential impact to human life • Dangers of incineration still down ability to cause harm to not only the and the environment are an important played in Uganda. environment but also human health. aspect for sustainable management of These chemicals are on spotlight for chemicals. Actions on chemicals man- elimination internationally. The cur- agement therefore require ongoing rent attempts to regulate heavy metals public education and awareness pro- include initiatives to eliminate the use grammes. Awareness on heavy metals of lead in paints and putting in place should be intensifi ed to cover all players an international agreement for a stand such as customs workers, legislators, alone binding document to reduce the inspectors, importers, farmers, acade- use of mercury and mercury containing micians, policy makers, rural commu- products. nities, the urban poor and any other Disclaimer people handling or even those close to This publication gives an overview of chemicals. While every care was taken in the sustainable chemical management preparation of this magazine, the practices especially heavy metals. It PROBICOU with the support from highlights some of the chemical man- Swedish Society for Nature Conserva- publisher or any body acting on its agement gaps, challenges and attempts tion has decided to contribute to in- behalf cannot be held responsible for in place to overcome such challenges. creased awareness on heavy metals by the accuracy of the information herein In Uganda, issues concerning sound extending knowledge on health effects or any consequences arising from it. management of chemicals are still not of heavy metals, sustainable policies for considered a priority. The knowledge sustainable management of chemicals, and awareness on chemicals is still in- civil society perspectives and contribu- adequate and only institutions that deal tions, as well as a number of interesting with chemicals on a day to day basis stories. Please enjoy! have had on-and- off programmes for Editorial team. their employees with no wider effort to 2 15 H EAVY METALS, HUMAN HEALTH AND OUR ENVIRONMENT H EAVY METALS, HUMAN HEALTH AND OUR ENVIRONMENT Dangers of incineration still Heavy metals and our health down played in Uganda By Robert Tumwesigye Baganda, Paul Twebaze, and Ellady Muyambi - PROBICOU What are heavy metals? By Robert is produced. This will have a deleterious impact on our commitments to the The term heavy metal is loosely used to refer to metals Tumwesigye Baganda Kyoto protocol on climate change. The numerous adverse health effects as- with high atomic mass. Notable among them are arsenic Coordinator sociated with climate change are already evident throughout the world, and (As) -atomic mass units 74.9, cadmium (Cd) -atomic mass these will inevitably become more severe unless greenhouse gas emissions units 112, lead (Pb) -atomic mass units 207 and mercury PROBICOU are reduced. (Hg) - atomic mass units 200. These metals are notable For many substances, no ‘safe’ standards exist. For example, regulations con- because of their poisonous character. The emissions from incineration in- sider chlorinated dioxins. However, there are similar dioxin-like chemicals for clude organic compounds, e.g. dioxins which there are no ‘safe levels’ estimated. A case in point is mixed chloro and What are their benefi ts? (which have recently been classifi ed as bromo-dioxins,