Zambia: UN calls for proper chemical handling

  1. Posted on Friday 17 December 2010 - 10:30
    Sanday
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    Sanday Chongo Kabange, AfricaNews reporter in Lusaka, Zambia
    A United Nations research agency has advised African countries to formulate policies that will safeguard human health and protect the environment from hazardous chemicals.
    climate change
    United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has expressed concern that many countries across the continent do not have polices that aggressively protect human health, the environment and biodiversity.

    UNITAR Training Advisor, Andrew Fasey said in Lusaka Monday, lack of proper training in chemical management is undermining development across the continent.

    Fasey says chemical safety management is key in protecting human health, livestock, the environment and other living organisms.

    A told a group of chemical experts during capacity building event on Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classification and labelling of chemicals organized by Zambia’s Environmental Council that, “chemicals play an important role in our economy but they can be a danger to human health if they are not properly managed”.

    He added that GHS is very critical as it will pave way for the implementation and harmonisation of classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals.

    Fasey said increased awareness on GHS will open up trade markets for African companies that export their produce into the European Union (EU) because the EU has worked out a harmonised system for classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals and other hazardous materials.

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