HAZARDOUS-WASTE IN MEXICO - HEALTH RISK A SSESSMENT

In Mexico about 90% of the hazardous waste is not treated adequately. Thus, a sizable proportion of the waste is improperly disposed of and released into the environment, polluting rivers, deserts, etcetera. Th e present article describes the health effects of hazardous waste and the technological alternatives to tackle these problems. In order to a ssess the risks posed by hazardous waste sites, a new approach, adapte d to the health conditions and scarce resources of the country has to be developed. The health conditions include malnutrition and infectiou s diseases; the scarcity of resources refers to qualified environmenta l laboratories, human resources with expertise in environmental scienc es, and funding for the evaluation of hazardous waste sires. Furthermo re, a more direct participation of the Ministry of Health in issues re lated to hazardous waste is needed. These elements should be taken int o account to create a National Program for the Study of Hazardous Wast e in Mexico.