ABSTRACT
This chapter describes selected cases of toxic waste dumping in Africa and explores some of the background variables behind these incidents. It analyses the dumping of wastes in Africa with that in African American communities as a way of exploring the relationship between race and disposal policies. To countries experiencing severe economic difficulties, promise of more money and new jobs is sore temptation against the risk of increased danger from imported toxic wastes. Associated with the lack of technical knowledge is the general lack of public awareness and education regarding environmental issues. Western patterns of consumption create a favorable climate for the development of laissez faire policies towards toxic waste. In the United States, export of toxic wastes is authorized by the government. The European Community (EC) has a notice and authorization system to handle the transport of toxic waste involving EC member and non-member states. The toxic waste situation forces a re-examination of the future of development in Africa.
