Environmental
Analytical ChemistryProblems Related in Part to Mining in Africa
Chemists in the developing world are faced with
globalization of the economy, and regulatory chemists and lab managers
need to be aware of the latest official methods of analysis. Because
Africa is engaged in many heavy mining projects, it is anticipated
that at least five African countries will be involved in reviewing
environmental chemistry activities related to mining. Ten officials
of five different chemical societies in Africa have all stated that
their largest pollution problems with air, water, food, and soil stem
from mining.
IUPACs Joint Working Party with IOCD on
Environmental Analytical Chemistry in Developing Countries has developed
a joint project with the International Organization for Chemical Sciences
in Development (IOCD) and the host for our meeting, Prof. Dr. Ernst
L. J. Breet, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Potchefstroom,
South Africa, to make available the latest laboratory techniques,
information, and official methodology concerning environmental analytical
chemistry to African analytical and supervisory chemists.
As a part of this project, a five-day regional
workshop will be held 2429 September 2000 at the University
of Potchefstroom, South Africa. This workshop will address official
analytical methods for water, air, food, and soils in Africa needed
for problems associated with mining and other sources of pollution.
Laboratory management will also be addressed, and the approach of
past successful workshops of the Joint Working Party, such as the
one held on Environmental Analytical Chemistry for Regulatory Chemists
and Laboratory Managers in Prague, Czech Republic 1618 June
1999 (see report in March 2000
Chemistry International, Vol. 22, pp. 3334),
will be followed.
Comments from the chemistry community are welcome and should be addressed
to the project coordinator, Dr. Walter R. Benson, Chairperson, IOCD/IUPAC
Joint Working Party, 6209 Crathie Lane, Bethesda, MD 20816-1003, USA;
Tel./Fax: +1 301 229 3913; E-mail: [email protected],
and to the workshop host, Dr. E. L. J. Breet, Professor of Chemistry,
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Potchefstroom University for
Christian Higher Education, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520,
Republic of South Africa NR 140, Tel.: +27 18 299 2343; Fax: +27 18
299 2350; E-mail: [email protected].
See http://www.iupac.org/divisions/current_
projects/1999/6_1_99.html for project description and update.