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Vince Gilbey, Daily News, South Africa

They fear it could lead to the construction of a recycling plant, not unlike that of Thor Chemicals.

The waste, which originates from mining and smelting giant Pasminco, contains high levels of lead and arsenic.

It was allowed to circumvent the world ban on developed countries dumping waste in undeveloped countries because South Africa had not signed the agreement, said international waste-trafficking watchdog Jim Puckett.

'It's the first time the dumping ban has been intentionally violated'

"It is the first time an African country has intentionally imported toxic waste since 1994," said Puckett.

"This is also the first time the 1994 Basel Convention's Dumping Ban decision has been intentionally violated," he said.

"The arrogance or naivete on the part of Australia and South Africa in this latest scheme makes a mockery of international agreements."

However, Environmental Affairs Minister Valli Moosa has defended the decision to allow the waste to enter South Africa for research purposes.

He said South Africa had not ratified the convention banning the trans-boundary movement of hazardous material, so the importation was legal.

Arsenic and lead exposure is extremely dangerous. The importation permit to mineral and metallurgical company Mintek was on the clear understanding that the shipment had to have liability insurance, that the material would be returned to Australia after the research was finished, and the results of the research would be shared between the two governments.

Bryan Ashe, co-ordinator of Earthlife Africa Durban, said their challenge was to prevent more "recycling plants" such as Thor Chemicals from being allowed to start up in South Africa, as this was not the solution to the problem of toxic waste.

Linda Ambler, an environmentalist, said African nations had unequivocally said "no" to foreign toxic-waste dumping on the continent.

"We demand this never happens again, that South Africa renounces its part in waste trafficking for ever and agrees to respect, ratify and implement the Bamako Convention and the Basel Ban Amendment as soon as possible."

Arsenic damages many tissues, including the nerves, stomach, intestines and skin. Breathing inorganic arsenic increases the risk of lung cancer and ingestion increases the risk of skin cancer and tumours of the bladder, kidneys, liver and lungs.

Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body. Exposure to lead is more dangerous for young and unbornchildren.

Harmful effects include premature births, smaller babies, decreased mental ability in the infant, learning difficulties, andreduced growth in children.