Stockpile of Pesticides in Developing Nations Poses Threat, UN Reports

Huge stocks of unused pesticides pose a grave threat to the health and the environment in developing countries, according to a new report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. “There is not a single country that is not affected by the serious environmental hazards associated with obsolete pesticides,” the Rome-based group said.

The organization estimates that more than 100,000 tons of pesticides are currently stored in developing countries and called for urgent concerted action from industrialized countries to help dispose of the lethal waste. “Obsolete pesticide stocks are potential time bombs,” said Niek van der Graaff, head of the group’s plant protection service.