By Morris
T. Koffa
The
Africa Environmental Watch (AEW) Inc. wishes to express profound concerns
regarding the destruction caused to crops in several counties in Liberia by
the African Armyworms invasion, and the serious public health dilemma it
posses to the environment. AEW and its affiliate organization, the Liberia
Environmental Watch (LEW), have been closely following the unfolding events
with concerns and deep empathy as it relates to the potential environmental
dangers that the government recommended resolution of spraying toxic chemicals
will pose to the environment.
Of
specific concern is the prescribed usage of aerial spraying (airborne) of
pesticides to eradicate the Armyworms.
Against this background, the Africa Environmental Watch (AEW), in
conjunction with the Liberia Environmental Watch would like to offer its
expert opinion on the danger of spraying toxic chemicals, and the high
probability of the long term damage it will cause to the environment.
AEW
would like to applaud the swift action taken by the Liberia Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Agriculture (MA), the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare
(MoH&SW) in addressing the situation.
Armyworms reportedly invades 45 Liberian towns and villages
Few
days ago, the African Armyworms, of the genus Spodoptera,
invaded Bong, Lofa and Nimba Counties in Liberia, and destroyed every crop in
their path while polluting drinking water with their feces (EPA of Liberia).
Several experts have shared their opinion and suggested various
approaches aimed at attacking the Armyworms by using toxic chemical sprays.
AEW is seriously concern that all the expert opinions and recommendations of
the usage of certain toxic chemicals as a means to eradicate these undesirable
creatures for the protection of crops will produce an immeasurable
environmental problem with long term health consequences that will affect the
local human and animal population. AEW therefore wishes to draw the attention
of these experts to the scientific fact that there are better alternative
methods available that can be employed to fight these undesirable creatures.
These methods and approaches are environmentally friendly than the chemical
toxic airborne applications suggested by the experts.
We
share the views of many that the danger posed by these creatures must be
eradicated by all means to avoid extended destruction to our agricultural
crops and the environment. Nevertheless, prudent risk assessment and other
analysis should be exhausted at all levels with respect to the effect of
airborne toxic spraying approaches. Thus, the Africa Environmental Watch (AEW),
wonders how the two toxic chemicals (Cypermentrin and Deltramthrin) were
authorized by government institutions for aerial spraying. It is not clear as
to what considerations were used for the selection of these
chemicals/pesticides by the Liberian government for aerial spraying when there
are better alternatives and options, as well as abundantly available
environmentally-friendly alternatives.
Let
us take a closer look at the formulation of these chemicals that were
suggested by the government for aerial spraying. Cypermentrin and Deltamethrin
are synthetic pyrethroid used to control pests. They are composed of different
chemical and biological properties of various toxicity levels. Though their
toxicity levels slightly differ, both chemicals dangerously affect aquatic
organism such as fish and aquatic invertebrates. They affect reproductive and
developmental stages. Worse still, Cypermentrin and Deltamethrin can lead to
contamination of water quality. These chemicals seriously affect the human
respiratory system and neurologic tissues. For example, when inhaled, these
chemicals cause burning sensation to the human respiratory tract and can lead
to coughing, dizziness, vomiting, headache, and nausea among other neurologic
symptoms. It further causes, numbness, tingling, and itching of the skin as
well as abdominal pain, convulsions and unconsciousness.
The
environmental fate, as a result of the usage of these chemicals (Cypermentrin
and Deltamethrin) is such that they are less friendly to the environment even
if used in selective ground areas, let alone, when used as an aerial spray.
These chemicals breakdown in soil can seriously contaminate groundwater, with
sequential contamination of drinking well water. Their toxicological effects
are acute as well as accumulative by their highly concentrated residues which
impacts vegetation (fruits) and the entire habitat of various organisms.
Aerial
Spraying (airborne) of these toxic pesticides poses further danger to the
environment, because airborne applications has no boundary and limitation, and
therefore affects water bodies, marine populations, livestock, wildlife and
other domestic animals, including humans. It further exposes inhalation risks
to multitude of people who dwell even in areas that are not targeted for
spraying. Most
vulnerable are the elderly, children, pregnant women and those with
pre-existing medical problems such as asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Let
us not forget that the people in Liberia, especially those who lived in the
countryside and throughout the civil war were exposed to lots of health
problems that have impaired their immune system; and for the most part
rendered their system defenseless to fight foreign substances. Hence, the
spraying of these chemicals will be an added health catastrophe for said
population.
Considering
the long-term impact on human health and the environment, the Africa
Environmental Watch (AEW) would like to suggest that the Liberian Government
be opened to all novel approaches, exhaust every available alternative, and
adopt a relatively low cost and environmentally-friendly way to control or
kill the army worms. There
are workable and friendly alternatives out there that are worth considering.
According
to the ARMYWEB, a web resource for the Armyworm Biological Control Consortium,
Nucleopolyhedrovirus or NPV is one of the recommended options that can kills
up to 98% of army worms, as compared to Cypermentrin and Deltamethrin which
kill less. A further contrast is that NPV is much effective, environmentally
friendly, and less expensive than chemical insecticides like Cypermentrin and
Deltamethrin that are proposed by the government functionaries. NPV has been
used in several African countries in East Africa, including Tanzania. Another
alternative control method is the use of microbial biopesiticides. These are
biological control agents that are natural pathogens of the target pest
species. The only disadvantage of the NPV approach is that it naturally occurs
only after the worms have consumed portion of the crops which by any standard
reduces the environmental risk factors significantly. Importantly, NPV is
biodegradable.
Based
on the logical trend of risk and probability analysis, once the armyworms have
attacked the crops, it is preferable to have them consumed portion of the crop
for that season. Later, the NPV agents can be applied to eradicate the
armyworms for the next crops season than to risk thousands of lives and
communities, risk the next generation and habitats of thousand of organisms
that help balance the environment. The situation is a delicate one that
requires a careful approach which will yield a result beneficial to humanity
and the ecosystem.
AEW
agrees with the FAO representatives that the airborne approach as suggested by
the Liberian government should not be an option, because of the environmental
dangers involved. Besides, the use of any toxic chemicals should entail
careful analysis and consideration of all the available alternatives.
Concluding
on these thoughts, let’s us be awakened that this environmental uncertainty
that has crept on Liberia, should further remind us all of the ever daunting
challenges and burden that our collective action to protect the environment
has placed on our shoulders. The urgency of educating our people in preserving
and conserving our environment through cultural, traditional and other
relevant approaches is a challenge we just cannot ignore as a nation.
The
Africa Environmental Watch therefore calls on the government of Liberia to
adopt safe approaches in full preparedness to meet whatever challenges that
may confront the Liberian nation.
