The Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) re-issues a public warning against using prohibited and unlicensed pesticides to eradicate household pests and insects. Aluminum phosphide is a hazardous substance and is extremely dangerous to human health, as it turns from solid state to gas once the package is opened, spreading the deadly phosphine (PH3) that causes poisoning and death.
Eng. Othaibah Alqaydi - Director of Chemicals Department at MOEW stated that, “Aluminum Phosphide is banned by MoEW, and individuals should not use this pesticide to eradicate pests in residential and commercial areas as it is highly poisonous and could lead to intoxication and fatality.” She added that any violators using the pesticide could face prosecution.
Under the provisions of the federal law No 41 for the year 1992 regarding pest control insecticides and pesticides, which states that anyone who violates the provisions of the law shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months and a fine of not less than 20,000 and not more than 100,000, or any of these penalties. Penalties prescribed in Articles 342 and 343 of the Penal Code are applied, if the offense resulted in the death of an individual or a detrimental effect on their health.
Collective efforts between the ministry, customs, local governments and the police have been set in place to mitigate the regulations of pesticides within the country, in addition the competent authorities, work in collaboration to combat illicit trade of pesticides due to the adverse effects they inflict on individuals. Moreover MoEW works closely with the Ministry of Health to share a database of all registered pesticides in the UAE to provide the correct antidote in case of an emergency.
Alqaydi warned individuals not to utilize any pesticide brought from companies that are not authorized by local municipalities and she urges the public to access the directory of authorized pest control companies through the website of the local municipalities. She stressed that “ Aluminum phosphide also commonly known as the “bomb” is hazardous, the public should not buy pesticides from random individuals or illegal pest control companies, to avoid any incident that leads to health deterioration or even death”
MoEW continues its awareness campaigns in corporation with its strategic partners and concerned authorities to educate the public on consequence and detrimental effects of buying illegal pesticides. Furthermore the ministry is working with its partners towards launching a new awareness campaign to target specifically the residential areas and buildings with centralized air conditioning.
Alqaydi added that “ MoEW does not issue a any import permits for Aluminum Phosphide as a public health pesticide, the permits is strictly granted for specific pesticide companies for agricultural purposes on an industrial scale under the surveillance of qualified specialists and agricultural engineers, in addition, the authorized pest control companies should submit a monthly report to the ministry.”
Aluminum Phosphide is classified as a severely restricted agricultural pesticide for indoor fumigation of raw agricultural commodities in silos and grains warehouses only, currently there are no internationally declared alternatives for indoor fumigation of raw agricultural commodities in silos and grains stores yet the ministry is working on finding safer alternatives.
The ministry regularly updates and modifies pesticides legislations and registration system in UAE and the lists of banned and restricted pesticides is updated on regular basis based on the recommendations and provisions of international organizations and conventions.
As part of product quality assurance, the ministry analyses all the imported pesticides before being cleared from the ports and released in the market. The laboratory department carefully scrutinizes all pesticides entering UAE both for the purpose of registration and re-registration to ensure their quality before their release. The department is composed of highly trained specialists and technicians and uses modern technologies. The ministry also organizes regular meetings with its strategic partners in order to get their views and feedback, as well their observations and suggestions on the relevant pesticides legislations.
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