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Reducing and Preventing Chemical Pollution of International Waters

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Marine and freshwater systems, including surface waters and groundwater, constitute the world's water resources, which provide drinking water, sustenance, income, transportation routes and other amenities to populations. These aquatic ecosystems, often shared by two or more countries, have come under significant pressure from a number of threats (e.g. pollution, over fishing, invasive species and overuse of freshwater resources) and endanger the livelihoods of billions of people who depend on them.

Through its GEF International Waters (IW) focal area, UNDP assists countries in improving their understanding and joint management of these shared water bodies. A major portion of UNDP-GEF funding helps to protect and restore international waters by reducing and preventing chemical pollution caused by poorly or untreated wastewater, pesticide and fertilizer run-off from agriculture, chemical spills and other ship-related releases, mining, etc.

 

Reducing and Prevention Chemical Pollution of Waters - UNDP Activities

UNDP, within the framework of its MDG Support Services, assists developing countries to improve the management of shared water bodies through UNDP-GEF programmes that address chemical pollution issues focussing (among others) on:

  • Reduction of nutrient pollution;
  • Reduction of industrial pollution through introduction of cleaner production technologies, practices and sustainable business models, sustainable financing, harmonized legislation, and improved environmental monitoring;
  • Demonstrating practical, low cost wastewater treatment technologies;
  • Introducing alternative mining technologies and practices to reduce emissions of mercury;
  • Strengthening pollution reduction capacities through surveys, assessments, awareness raising, and small scale investments; and,
  • Demonstrating practical, low cost wastewater treatment technologies.

For programme examples on UNDP-GEF International Water activities addressing chemical pollution, click here.

Chemicals Management Topics

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Managing Chemicals for Sustainable Development

Certain types of chemicals (such as Persistent Organic Pollutants) can build up to dangerous levels in humans causing adverse reproductive, developmental, immunological, hormonal and carcinogenic effects. With respect to reproductive health, exposure to these chemicals can lead to miscarriages, low birth weight babies and premature births. Women who have accumulated these kind of chemicals in their lipids or body fat can pass as much as one third of their toxic burden to their infant children, both prenatally and after birth (through breastfeeding).

Sound Management of Chemicals can lower a women's risk of contamination, improve maternal health and therefore, the health of future generations.


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