by Ms. Irma Suarez

Ecuador, like most countries in the world, is a signatory to international agreements, many of which relate to the management of chemicals. It also has a commitment to other countries and international development agencies under Agenda 21, signed in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro as a compliance mechanism for sustainable development in the countries.

Ecuador has no integrated chemical management system to reduce pollution levels and deal with the negative impact of the misuse of chemicals on the natural environment and human beings in particular. However, there have been groups aware of this problem that have carried out activities designed to change this situation. It should also be noted that we have had a Ministry of the Environment for the past year.

Certain actions have been taken at the national level. The Advisory Committee on Chemical Substances has presented a planning matrix for the management of chemical substances, has prepared a diagnostic miniprofile, and with the Natura Foundation has submitted a draft law (now in Congress) to support the management of chemicals. The Natura Foundation has worked on a survey of information and training in the management of industrial chemicals and has also drawn up a map identifying the principal routes used in the transport of industrial chemicals.

A National Program for Training on the Rational Use of Pesticides, Biologicals, and Plant Nutrients has been carried out, a manual has been prepared and distributed covering standards and quality control for pesticide handling. In addition, an ad hoc group was appointed to establish the National Toxicology Commission (CONATOX). The purpose of the National Toxicology Commission and its Regional Branch Commissions is to direct all activities toward the protection of human beings and for their activities to be an additional contribution to the country’s sustainable development.

CONATOX was created at the initiative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Pan American Center for Human Ecology and Health (ECO), and the Ministry of Public Health through the Environmental Health Bureau, with subsequent participation from the Environmental Advisory Unit of the General Planning Secretariat and other research institutes.

In the course of its activities, CONATOX has conducted several meetings and visits to hospital and research centers. As a result, in addition to determining how the toxicology network and the Information Center would be set up, it was demonstrated that the country suffers not only from deficient or nonexistent environmental indicators but also lacks comprehensive statistics on cases of poisoning, with direct and/or indirect effects of the obvious levels of contamination.

Given this reality, there is much to be done. However, an initial and priority activity for the National Commission is to create a Toxicology Information Center and set up the Ecuadorian Toxicology Network. The purpose of the Network is to unite documentary centers under a coordinated and organized system to provide efficient and effective service to our population. The intent is not to overlook efforts already made, activities already undertaken, but rather, as Commission policy, to join forces and work toward a single objective. For this purpose, and as an integral part of the Information Center, different institutions and hospital centers working in toxicology have been identified.

From this perspective, the National Commission has decided to work on developing the Toxicology Network by considering three aspects:

1. Setting up a Toxicology Information Center that would be the principal focus of the Network, utilizing as an initial mechanism the gradual strengthening of existing nuclei, seeing to it that they are linked with information from documentation centers and specialized centers that have demonstrated capacity and interest in being part of this Network."
2. Promoting human resources education in toxicology through formal education and research at the college and graduate level as well as training courses like the course presented by Dr. Rafael Perez Cristia, president of the Latin American Toxicology Association (ALATOX) and consultants from the Toxicology Information Center of Cuba.
3. Supporting chemical safety programs for the country as well as carrying out activities such as the preparation of the list of priority chemical substances, an effort that was strengthened with collaboration from the Natura Foundation. There will be miscellaneous seminars and training workshops in the Second National Toxicology Session and preparation of a national project to encourage participation from state and private agencies, as well as international technical assistance.

A request has recently been made for support from private firms to begin small toxicology information centers. To date, these companies have shown a positive and collaborative attitude toward this initiative. It is also important to note the participation of professionals who, either personally or as representatives of some public or private entity, have closely followed the process that the Commission has been engaged in over these past two years. This entire scenario shows that we are not just a few people but, rather, part of a growing and dynamic organization that seeks not just to patch together but to form a conscious society of professionals with a single objective: to establish the Ecuadorian Toxicology Network to preserve health and the environment.

Although it has been demonstrated that it is important for the country to establish toxicology information center, the obstacles show that this is not a simple undertaking. However, we are convinced that the participation of all and the support that can be provided will mark the start of safe handling of chemicals.