List of hazardous substances
Bamako Convention bans hazardous waste import to Africa, protecting health and environment. It doesn't list specific substances, instead relying on evolving international law and agreements to define them. This ensures coverage of newly identified hazards.
Identification and categorization
The Bamako Convention, recognizing the detrimental impacts of hazardous substances on both human health and the environment, established a list of hazardous substances to regulate and manage within the African continent. The specific hazardous substances covered by the convention can vary over time as new substances are identified and classified as hazardous. Therefore, the Convention does not provide a fixed list of hazardous substances. Instead, it relies on the principles of international law, other international agreements, and the decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the Bamako Convention to determine which substances are considered hazardous under the convention's framework.
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Substances covered by the convention
The Convention does not provide a specific list of hazardous substances, but it classifies hazardous waste into two categories: Annex I and Annex II wastes. Annex I includes hazardous waste generated in Africa, while Annex II contains hazardous waste generated outside Africa that may not be imported into African countries without the consent of the importing country.
The primary aim of the Bamako Convention is to prohibit the import into Africa and control the transboundary movement and management of hazardous wastes within Africa. Integral to achieving this aim is the identification and categorization of substances considered hazardous.
Based on the Basel Convention The Bamako Convention takes its cues from the Basel Convention, another major international treaty on hazardous waste. However, the Bamako Convention broadens the definition to ensure more comprehensive protection against potential threats.
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Categorization
The hazardous substances under the Bamako Convention are broadly categorized based on their origin, composition, and characteristics. This includes but is not limited to:
- Clinical wastes from medical care;
- Wastes from pharmaceutical or biotechnological products,
- Waste mineral oils;
- Waste chemicals, like pesticides and herbicides that are expired or no longer in use;
- Slags, dross, and other metalliferous residues,
- Certain radioactive wastes.
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Characteristics
The Convention also outlines specific characteristics that qualify a substance as hazardous. These characteristics are vital in identifying newer substances that might not be explicitly listed but still pose a threat. Characteristics include:
- Explosiveness;
- Flammability;
- Toxicity;
- Corrosiveness;
- Eco-toxicity or ability being harmful to the environment;
- Infectious properties.
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Updates and Revisions
It’s important to note that the list of hazardous substances under the Bamako Convention can be updated and revised. As science and technology evolve, newer substances might be identified as hazardous, or older categorizations might be changed.
Having a well-defined list of hazardous substances is integral to the effective implementation of the Bamako Convention. It ensures that member states have clear guidelines on what substances to monitor, regulate, and manage. It also prevents ambiguities that could be exploited for the illicit transfer of hazardous wastes.
In summary, the Bamako Convention’s list of hazardous substances serves as a crucial tool for African nations in their united stand against the harmful effects of hazardous waste. By clearly defining what constitutes hazardous waste, the Convention empowers member states to protect their environments and populations more effectively.
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Annexes
1 Hl Explosive
An explosive substance or waste is a solid or liquid substance or waste (or mixture of substances or wastes) which is in itself capable by chemical reaction or producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings.
3 H3 Flammable liquids
The word "flammable" has the same meaning as "inflammable". Flammable liquids are liquids, or mixtures of liquids, or liquids containing solids in solution or suspension (for example paints, varnishes, lacquers, etc., but not including substances or wastes otherwise classified on account of their dangerous characteristics) which give off a flammable vapour at temperatures of not more than 60.5 degrees C, closed-cup test, or not more than 65.6 degrees C, open-cup test. (Since the results of open-cup tests and of closed-cup tests are not strictly comparable and even individual results by the same test are often variable, regulations varying from the above figures to make allowance for such difference would be within the spirit of this definition).
4.1 H4.1 Flammable solids
Solids, or waste solids, other than those classed as explosives, which under conditions encountered in transport are readily combustible, or may cause or contribute to fire through friction.
4.2 H4.2 Substances or wastes liable to spontaneous combustion
Substances or wastes which are liable to spontaneous heating under normal conditions encountered in transport, or to heating up on contact with air, and being then liable to catch fire.
4.3 H4.3 Substances or wastes which, in contact with water emit flammable gases
Substances or wastes which, by interaction with water, are liable to become spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities
5.1 H5.1 Oxidizing
Substances or wastes which, while in themselves not necessarily combustible, may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials.
5.2 H5.2 Organic peroxides
Organic substances or wastes which contain the bivalent-0-0-structure are thermally unstable substances which may undergo exothermic self accelerating decomposition.
6.1 H6.1 Poisonous (Acute)
Substances or wastes liable either to cause death or serious injury or to harm human health if swallowed or inhaled or by skin contact.
6.2 H6.2 Infectious substances
Substances or wastes containing viable micro organisms or their toxins which are known or suspected to cause disease in animals or humans.
8 H8 Corrosives
Substances or wastes which, by chemical action, will cause severe damage when in contact with living tissue, or in the case of leakage, will materially damage, or even destroy, other goods or the means of transport; they may also cause other hazards.
9 H10 Liberation of toxic gases in contact with air or water
Substances or wastes which, by interaction with air or water, are liable to give off toxic gases in dangerous quantities.
9 Hll Toxic (Delayed or chronic)
Substances or wastes which, if they are inhaled or ingested or if they penetrate the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects, including carcinogenicity.
9 H12 Ecotoxic
Substances or wastes which if released present or may present immediate or delayed adverse impacts to the environment by means of bioaccumulation and/or toxic effects upon biotic systems.
9 H13
Capable, by any means, after disposal, of yielding another material, e.g., leachate, which possesses any of the characteristics listed above.