In the Kasaragod district of Kerala, where many have been affected by endosulfan poisoning, a significant development recently took place. The victims’ representatives staged a sit-in protest outside the state Secretariat located in Thiruvananthapuram. After much deliberation, they called off their protest. In order to understand the gravity of this issue, let’s delve deeper into what exactly endosulfan is and its impact on both the environment and living beings.
Understanding Endosulfan
Endosulfan first came into use in the 1950s and is an organochlorine insecticide popularly known by its trade name, Thiodan. It’s employed on a variety of crops including cotton, cashew, fruits, tea, paddy, tobacco and so forth to control pests such as beetles, aphids, whiteflies, and worms.
The Detrimental Effects of Endosulfan
Endosulfan can enter food chains when released into the environment and accumulate over time, leading to problematic high-dose exposure. If it makes its way into water bodies, it is likely to bind with sediment or bioconcentrate within aquatic organisms.
The ingestion of endosulfan can lead to a myriad of health problems. In humans and animals, the effects can range from physical deformities and nervous system damage to birth disorders and even cancer.
| Impact Area | Effects of Endosulfan |
|---|---|
| Human Health | Physical Deformities, Birth disorders, Cancer, Nervous System Damage |
| Environment | Accumulation in Food Chains, Bioconcentration within Aquatic Organisms |
The Ban on Endosulfan
Given its potential hazards, the Supreme Court of India decided in 2015 to ban the manufacture, sale, use, and export of endosulfan throughout the country. The decision acknowledged the serious health dangers posed by the insecticide.
Endosulfan is also listed under two important international treaties: the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
The Rotterdam Convention: A Step Toward Safety
Established in 1998, the Rotterdam Convention seeks to promote cooperation and shared responsibility among nations dealing with trade in hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Its central feature is the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, which is legally binding and promotes the exchange of information about the nature and trade of these potentially harmful substances.
Stockholm Convention: Toward a Cleaner Environment
Enacted in 2001, the Stockholm Convention aims to reduce the concentration of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), chemical substances that stay in the atmosphere for extended periods and can bio-accumulate. The convention listed 12 such POPs as the ‘dirty dozen,’ a list that includes endosulfan. This treaty underscores the global recognition of endosulfan’s harmful effects, further emphasizing the need for the recent protest and subsequent actions in Kerala.
