Exporting Poison: Ethical Issues and Solutions

Business Ethics and Values
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Part 1................................................................................................................................................2
Part 2................................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
The primary purpose of the paper is to analyze the case study related to the export of pesticides
to developing countries. It will help in identifying the ethical issues based on the case study. The
situation related to the case study will be analyzed with the help of moral and relevant theories. It
will discuss that exporting chemicals in developing nations is relevant or not. The paper will also
provide information regarding the individuals who are responsible for this situation and how they
can solve this issue. Therefore, the paper will help to analyze the hazardous condition in the US
which is due to the production of pesticides in developing nations.
Part 1
A brief summary of the case study
As per the study in 2001, by the foundation for Advancements in Science and Education, U.S
organizations are responsible for exporting 45 tons of pesticides every year to other countries.
The pesticides include metribuzin, heptachlor, chlordane, and alachlor. The US banned the use of
such pesticides, still, Velsicol Chemicals Corporation exports heptachlor and chlordane (Ferraz,
Lopes and Hitzelberger, 2019). The company exported these chemicals to South America for use
on crops and to spray in residences and Africa for using it
on roads.
Identification of the ethical issues
Between 1997 and 2000, the U.S. organizations shipped around 65 million pounds of pesticides
that are severely restricted or banned in the US. World Health Organization (WHO) classifies
that near about 30 tons of pesticides exported per year are considered to be harmful. The US.
Organizations export approximately 16 tons of pesticides per hour that are suspected or known to
cause cancer (Madeira, 2018). On the other hand, 60% of these pesticides are exported to
developing nations for agriculture purpose. In these developing nations, the labor force of
agriculture includes around 75% of children that involves 17 million in Latin America, 152
million in Asia and 80 million in Africa. They are regularly exposed to chemicals such as on
their clothes, drinking water and in the fields.
Critical analysis of the situation