Assessment of herbicide distribution practices, regulatory compliance and hazard profile in western Burkina Faso

The study conducted in western Burkina Faso in 2020 assessed, through a survey, herbicide distribution and retail practices, their regulatory compliance, and their hazard profile. The survey involved 89 retailers across 12 localities in four regions. The results showed that most retailers sourced products from Bobo-Dioulasso (78.7%) and lacked training (84.26%), official authorisation/licensing (94.38%), and the list of authorised pesticides (97.75%). The inventory recorded 167 formulated products based on 25 active substances, of which nearly 60% were not registered/authorised. Banned substances, including paraquat, atrazine, acetochlor and butachlor, were identified. Among the characterised active substances, acute toxicity was dominated by WHO Classes III (40%) and II (28%), while 20% showed reprotoxic effects and 24% had confirmed endocrine-disrupting properties. Acetochlor combined CMR and endocrine-related hazard signals. Management practices included the sale of expired products (22.4%), frequent unsold stock (58.4%), rudimentary cleaning in the event of leakage (54.02%), and disposal of empty containers through dumping, burial or open burning. Overall, herbicide distribution appears insufficiently regulated, calling for strengthened traceability, retailer training, and surveillance of high-risk substances.