representatives from 115 nations signed a draft agreement to ban eight highly toxic pesticides and other chemicals, that are among the "dirty dozen' persistent organic pollutants ( pop s), which are compounds that accumulate in the food chain. However, there was no consensus on ddt ( dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane) , which is used for eradicating mosquitoes, that transmit malaria.

"The pact is a breakthrough in eliminating some of the worst pollutants of the 20th century,' said Klaus Topfer, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme ( unep) . These proposals will now go to various governments for consultations before a fresh round of talks in March in 2000 in Bonn. T he treaty is expected to be signed in Stockholm in 2001.

The negotiators have agreed to eliminate pesticides like aldrin, endrin and toxaphene. Five other pesticides