Kerala’s Endosulfan Tragedy

In News

• Recently, the Kerala government was slammed by the Supreme Court for doing “virtually nothing” for Endosulfan pesticide exposure victims. 

More about the issue

• Endosulfan pesticide was used widely from the mid-70s, on crops like cashew, cotton, tea, paddy, fruits and others until 2011, after which the Supreme Court banned its production and distribution.
• Locals reportedly experienced illnesses, palsies and deformities
• The Supreme Court directed the Kerala government to pay Rs 500 crores in three months as compensation to over 5,000 victims of the use of Endosulfan pesticide.
  • The Right to Health is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. 

Endosulfan 

• About:
  • Endosulfan is a pesticide and it does not occur naturally in the environment. 
  • It is a cream- to brown-coloured solid that may appear in the form of crystals or flakes.
  • It has a distinct odour similar to turpentine but it does not burn. 
  • It is sold as a mixture of two different forms of the same chemical (referred to as α- and β-endosulfan). 
  • Endosulfan was the cheapest broad-spectrum pesticide and was friendly to pollinators.
• Uses: 
  • It is used to control pests in agriculture such as whiteflies, aphids, beetles, worms, etc.
  • It is also used as a wood preservative.
  • Endosulfan can be released into the air, water, and soil in areas where it is applied as a pesticide.
• Health effects:
  • The health effects of the chemical include neurotoxicity, late sexual maturity, physical deformities, and poisoning, among others.
  • Endosulfan blocks the inhibitory receptors of the Central nervous system (CNS), disrupts the ionic channels and destroys the integrity of the nerve cells.
  • People, especially newborns, have suffered deformities, health complications and loss of family members due to exposure to agrochemicals.
  •  The most important congenital anomalies are those associated with the brain, like mental retardation and also cerebral palsy. And this is due to the exposure of the parents of these children to endosulfan.
• Environmental impacts:
  • Studies suggest that endosulfan may persist in the surface soil for weeks to months after application.
  • Endosulfan may contaminate surface waters through spray drift and transport in the runoff. It may move to targets beyond its use area through atmospheric transport (via volatilization, transport on dust particles, or a combination).
  • Fish, in particular salmonids, are considered highly susceptible to waterborne endosulfan.
    • Studies have reported bioaccumulation in different aquatic species and in natural habitats.
  • A study shows that endosulfan use in Kasaragod had caused the death of honey bee colonies and they started to come back after the pesticide was banned for use in the cashew plantation.

International ban on Endosulfan  

• The Stockholm Convention, a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from such chemical compounds, has declared endosulfan a persistent organic pollutant and 73 countries have banned its use. 
• Endosulfan has been classified as highly hazardous by the USA and European Union. 

India’s stand on the Endosulfan ban

• The Industrial Toxicological Research Centre in India classifies Endosulfan as extremely hazardous.
• The Supreme Court banned the production and distribution of endosulfan. 
• India agreed to the listing of endosulfan in Annex A of the UN’s Stockholm Convention, without any opposition. 
  • Listing a chemical in Annex A means that Endosulfan should be banned globally. 
• In 2012, when there was the threat of endosulfan leaks from old godowns, they were transferred to new godowns through a scheme called Operation Blossom Spring. 
  • It aims to restore organic farming practices back in the district and preserve the ecological balance.

What can replace Endosulfan?

• Farmers can use more organic techniques like tilling, crop rotation, and green manure to help deal with pests and weeds.
• “Soft” chemicals like soap, stinging nettles, and rhubarbs provide excellent alternatives to pesticides.
• Companion planting: planting certain types of plants will keep some pests away.
• Using oil sprays: Oil sprays suffocate the pests. If sprayed directly on the pest, it is more effective. 
• Bio-pesticides harm neither plants nor farmers. The most common bio-pesticide that Indian farmers use is Neem. Bio-pesticides have no environmental risks and have no residue problems, so they don’t damage the crops.

Source: TH