The Ivory Coast Toxic Waste The Ivory Coast Toxic Waste DumpingDumping

1818thth August 2006 August 2006

Oran Hassan and Dai Nelsey

ContentsContents

Introduction to the contamination problemIntroduction to the contamination problem Possible solutions availablePossible solutions available The method chosen for the clean upThe method chosen for the clean up What happened next?What happened next?

IntroductionIntroduction

Probo Koala had to dispose of wasteProbo Koala had to dispose of waste Dutch company said NO!!!Dutch company said NO!!! Probo Koala went to Ivory CoastProbo Koala went to Ivory Coast Toxic waste offloaded and dumped illegallyToxic waste offloaded and dumped illegally

The ProblemThe Problem

400 tonnes of Toxic ‘Dirty water’ dumped overnight in 400 tonnes of Toxic ‘Dirty water’ dumped overnight in municipal waste sitesmunicipal waste sites

Noxious fumes including HNoxious fumes including H22SS

Contained organochloridesContained organochlorides Water supplies contaminatedWater supplies contaminated Caused 10 deaths and illness to 100,000Caused 10 deaths and illness to 100,000

Possible solutionsPossible solutions

Chemical oxidationChemical oxidation Pump and treatPump and treat ExcavationExcavation BioremediationBioremediation Soil washingSoil washing

The clean upThe clean up

6000 tonnes of soil excavated from 18 sites6000 tonnes of soil excavated from 18 sitesEx-situ treatmentEx-situ treatmentWaste incinerated to break down toxic hydrocarbonsWaste incinerated to break down toxic hydrocarbonsHeavy metals buried in cementHeavy metals buried in cementLagoon required longer term clean upLagoon required longer term clean upChemical residue would be treated over 5 months.Chemical residue would be treated over 5 months.

The AftermathThe Aftermath

Animals culled to prevent contamination of food Animals culled to prevent contamination of food chainchain

High court proceedingsHigh court proceedings Trafigura gave £100million towards clean up effortTrafigura gave £100million towards clean up effort UN said:UN said:

No dead fish foundNo dead fish found Vegetation nearby unharmedVegetation nearby unharmed

SummarySummary

Toxic waste disposed of illegallyToxic waste disposed of illegally Contaminated landContaminated land Caused major health problems, some ongoingCaused major health problems, some ongoing Clean up job at great expenseClean up job at great expense Criticism of success of operationCriticism of success of operation Disregard for Basel conventionDisregard for Basel convention