The 4th SETAC Africa meeting: Status and Strategies for Sustainable Environmental Quality is organised in Kampala (Uganda) by SETAC Europe. It is an international conference on Environmental Pollution and Toxicology.
The conference is planned as a four day’s meeting to be held 2-5 November 2009 at Hotel Africana in Kampala, Uganda.
Background
According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent comprehensive study on the Environmental Burden of Disease (EBD), almost 3 million people die every year in 46 African countries because of environmental risk factors! Most of these deaths are preventable because they are associated with pollution, sanitation and hygiene. These are unacceptably high levels, given the scientific resources and technological knowledge available globally, and in Africa. Hence the need for a forum to discuss the continent’s status with respect to pollutants and their toxicology, and strategies for sustainable environmental quality especially what are regarded as Africa’s top environmental problems which include the following:
- Water pollution
- Air pollution
- Solid waste management
- Lead poisoning
- Smoke & Dust
- Pesticide pollution
- Petrochemical pollution
Strategies to abate environmental risk factors in Africa are particularly crucial because Africa is not only the least industrialized continent (hence much more dependent on environment for economic wellbeing) but is also most vulnerable to climate change (despite insignificant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
SETAC (The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, ) and ANCAP (The African Network for Chemical Analysis of Pesticides, ) are non-governmental, and non-profit making professional organisations. Whereas the former is devoted to the study, analysis, and solution of environmental problems, the management and regulation of natural resources, environmental education; and research and development, the later is devoted to the study, promotion and development of the science of all aspects of chemical analysis of pesticides in Africa.
Local Organising Committee
Chairperson: Prof. Bernard T. Kiremire
Secretary: Mr. John Wasswa
Treasurer: Mr. Robert Byamukama
Members: Dr. Greald Sawula
Dr. Maxwell Otim