Plan to Remove Toxic Chemicals On Hold toxic chemicals are now on hold in

More than two years after their discovery, toxic and flammable chemicals stored throughout the Guinea capital Conakry remain in place - a UN plan to remove them repeatedly held up by political instability.

A UN official said the substances (see box) - many of which can be used to make or refine illicit drugs - are safely stored and under police guard so they are not likely to pose a threat if there is unrest during the presidential run-off election set for 7 November. Since the 27 June first-round presidential election, Guinea has seen widespread unrest as ethnic strife has marred a transition to democratic civilian government after decades of repressive military rule.

"These products are under the authority of the Security [and Civil Protection] Ministry and guarded by police, and most of these sites are not in public areas where people might hold political demonstrations," UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) West Africa deputy representative Cyriaque Sobtafo told IRIN.
During an apparent crackdown on the illicit drug trade Guinea armed forces in July 2009 seized large quantities of chemicals at a number of sites throughout Conakry. The authorities later asked the international community for assistance in handling the substances and eventually destroying or removing them, saying Guinea did not have the means.
UNODC has been working on a plan to remove the chemicals, but instability following the 28 September 2009 military attack on civilians forced delays, according to Sobtafo.
Chemicals in Conakry
Acetone
Ammonia solution
Boric acid
Calcium chloride
Hexane
Hydrochloric acid

Methanol

Methyl ethyl ketone
Methylene chloride
Sodium hydroxide
Nitric acid
Phenyl methyl ketone
Phosphoric acid
Sassafras oil
Sodium bicarbonate
Sulphuric acid
Compressed gases (acetylene, methylamine, oxygen, unidentified)
Various solvents (methylene chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, hexane)