FACILITATORS FROM THE Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) have cautioned the entire citizenry about the usage of chemicals in the country.

AT A ONE-DAY capacity building workshop held during the weekend for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in downtown Monrovia, a consultant of SAICM on Health, Dr. Oscar Vanyanbah told the participants that if chemicals are not used properly, they will affect the central nervous system which will also damage the human liver.

DR. VANYANBAH CITED chlorine as one of the chemicals that should be carefully managed before putting it in water for drinking. Although chemicals are important to mankind, Dr. Vanyanbah warned that chemical usage and disposal should be handled with care in the environments to avoid unfortunate situations.

DR. VANYANBAH INDICATED that if nothing is done to manage chemicals, it would risk the human life and urged the participants at the workshop to go out and spread the message and develop a framework on how useful chemicals are to humanity.

SAICM'S PROJECT COORDINATOR, Mr. Henry D. Williams also said that the objective of the workshop is to draw the attention of NGOs in the country on the usage of chemicals. Mr. Williams reminded the participants that if the citizenry knows how to use chemicals, it would help the government to be more cognizant to deal with the issue.

WE WANT TO applaud the facilitators from the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) for the initiative to caution the public about the usage of chemicals in the country. Notwithstanding, SAICM and participants should mainstream the usage of chemicals and increase participation with civil society groupings and the public.

AT THE SAME time, let the facilitators of SAICM engage into more campaign so that people can begin to know how to use these chemicals, which although are important for mankind, can at the same time be dangerous or hazardous, if not properly used.

WHILE IT IS true that some people may ignore the awareness of chemicals on the Liberian market, we want to encourage members of SAICM and other well meaning Liberians to join hands; go beyond the advice and engage in a more vigorous awareness and sensitization campaign for the desired result to be achieved in the interest of humanity.