NewsWhore
11-26-2009, 04:40 PM
After disclosing that toxic and illegal pesticides and herbicides are still being imported into the DR, Hoy is reporting that a 20-year old shipment of DDT is still sitting at the Center for Tropical Diseases (CENCET). The DDT is stored in cardboard boxes, plastic bags and other unsafe packaging. DDT is not just carcinogenic and highly toxic, it also doesn't decompose with time. An estimated 20.4 tons of the substance is at CENCET, which is located on Duarte Street in Santo Domingo. It was imported from Indonesia by the Ministry of Public Health in 1989. However, its use was prohibited in 1991, when it was determined that it was toxic.
The authorities reportedly considered a RD$63,000 investment to store the substance safely but the plan never materialized.
Hoy is also reporting that 350 tons of PCBs are also being stored in the DR.
Marcos Rodriguez from the Chemical Institute at the UASD said the substance should be stored at a temperature of 20-25C, with moisture levels of no more than 60%.
Marcos Rodriguez said the country should have got rid of the DDT stocks years ago by taking it to countries where DDT is still being used to fight tropical diseases. He added that while DDT could save 20,000 lives, it could also negatively affect as many as 200,000.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)
The authorities reportedly considered a RD$63,000 investment to store the substance safely but the plan never materialized.
Hoy is also reporting that 350 tons of PCBs are also being stored in the DR.
Marcos Rodriguez from the Chemical Institute at the UASD said the substance should be stored at a temperature of 20-25C, with moisture levels of no more than 60%.
Marcos Rodriguez said the country should have got rid of the DDT stocks years ago by taking it to countries where DDT is still being used to fight tropical diseases. He added that while DDT could save 20,000 lives, it could also negatively affect as many as 200,000.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)