Illegal dumping of hazardous waste, Côte d'Ivoire - December 1997

Illegal dumping of hazardous waste, Côte d'Ivoire - December 1997

In December 1997, an illegal dumping of hazardous waste uncovered at the port of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, had a serious impact on the environment and the health of the population. The incident involved a total of approximately 1,020 tons of chemical waste exported from Europe. The waste contained sulfuric acid (about 60%), phenol (about 15%), chlorinated organic compounds (about 10%), and other corrosive chemicals.

The waste was dispersed and dumped at 18 sites in Abidjan, 7 of which were located in densely populated areas. As a result, approximately 26,000 people complained of health problems and more than 1,000 received hospital treatment. At least 15 of the victims were reported to have died of acute poisoning from the waste.

International assistance was needed for waste disposal, and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and multinational organizations contributed approximately $3 million. The collection and proper disposal of the waste took more than six months, and approximately 8,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil was removed.

The incident was caused by the high cost of waste disposal in Europe, about $1,000 per ton, while in Cote d'Ivoire the waste was accepted at a lower cost of about $20 per ton. It was discovered that some companies were exploiting this price difference and exporting waste illegally.

This incident highlights the need for tighter international regulation of hazardous waste in accordance with the Basel Convention. Currently, Côte d'Ivoire has a total ban on the import of hazardous waste and has greatly improved its waste management system. This case will be remembered as a symbolic example of the importance of environmental regulations and the challenges of global waste management.