The United Nations Environment Program is calling for urgent action to reduce growing risks from chemicals. Better management of chemicals could save millions of lives and billions of dollars. An estimated one hundred forty-three thousand chemicals are now produced. Yet only the report says only a small number of these chemicals have been studied for their effects on human health and the environment. It says death and disability rates are high from the unsafe use of chemical products.
Sylvie Lemmet, director of the U.N. Environment Program, says poor management of chemicals has a high economic cost. For example, she says the cost is higher than the amount of overseas development aid, or ODA, for health care in sub-Saharan Africa.
She says: "If you look at the estimated cost of poisoning from pesticide in sub-Saharan Africa, only the injury and the loss of working time is estimated to be 6.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2009. This is higher than the total ODA that is going to the health sector in the same area."
The Program estimates that chemical sales worldwide will increase by around three percent a year until 2050. Chemical production is moving quickly from developed to developing countries. By 2020, chemical production is expected to increase by 40 percent in Africa and the Middle East and 33 percent in Latin America. One of its biggest concerns is pollution of rivers and lakes by pesticides and fertilizer. Other major concerns are heavy-metal pollution from the production of cement and textiles, and dioxin pollution from mining.
The U.N. report urges the chemical industry and governments to work together to develop safety policies. It says preventing harm costs less than fixing it.
63. The purpose of Paragraph 3 is mainly to indicate that _________.
A. The use of pesticide is wasteful.
B. Africa needs more development aid.
C. Chemicals have a high production cost.
D. Estimated cost of chemicals is inaccurate.
64. Which of the following is NOT a source of danger according to the text?
A. Pesticides. B. Fertilizer. C. Heavy-metal. D. Mineral.
65. According to the text what is the main reason for chemicals risks?
A. Poor management of chemicals.
B. Lack of research funds on chemicals.
C. The mass production of cement and textiles
D. Contradiction between chemical producers and governments.
66. What would be the best title for the text?
A. The truth in Sylvie Lemmet’s comments.
B. A UN warning about chemical dangers.
C. The unpredictable future of chemical industry.
D. Preventing: much better than curing.