1954- Endosulfan, a revolutionary new pesticide was developed
1976- Widespread use of Endosulfan in farms and plantations in India
1979- Evidence of toxicity and bio-accumulation seen with birth of malformed cattle
1990- Children born with limb malformations, congenital anomalies, mental retardation, physical deformities, cerebral palsy,epilepsy, hydrocephalus
15 villages in Kasargod district in north Kerala, owing to the presence of large cashew plantations, were among the most affected. It was described as the biggest disaster since the Bhopal
So tell me, why India India went the extra mile to make sure that it was not included in the Stockholm and Rotterdam
Now, think of all the people still exposed to this substance without even knowing the consequences. Think of their children.
If you want to know more about this tragedy you can visit the link below. Be forewarned: It is not for the faint hearted, as the pictures in it are quite graphic
Dear Friend. I suggest you to do some more research before posting anything about such complicated issues like Endosulfan. First of all Endosulfan was the main product of Bayer (EU). And to your surprise it is still being manufactured and traded in EU. Moreover not further than 2009 (and 2008) it was used on behalf of governmental permission. It is also still used in USA and Australia and these countries have not reported any major incidents caused by Endosulfan. Furthermore Australian's authority has made review of Endosulfan stating that it is not bio-accumulative and can be used in safe way under restrictions.
ReplyDeleteEu using countries were using Endosulfan so long and with such great results that till today farmers are asking for it and using it illegally. I'm sure if you spent more time on checking this you would come to the same data.
EU decided ban on Endosulfan just because they couldn't compete with India and China in prices anymore. Ant there is only 1 report stating that Endosulfan is hazardous to people. The Kerela case is one big fraud.
Few years ago,the European Commission, German and Swedish government agencies funded NGO in India called Center for Science and Environment (CSE). CSE published a study claiming to have found 108 ppm to 196 ppm of Endosulfan residues in the blood samples of people who are STILL ALIVE. This is MORE than 15000% of LETHAL Levels - SCIENTIFICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
The study also claimed to have found 9.19 ppm of endosulfan from filtered water samples. This is 3000% higher than Endosulfan water solubility of 0.32ppm. Again SCIENTIFICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.
I hope I made you aware of few more new facts. :) I'd just like to ad that Endosulfan is the only soft generic not hazardous to honey bee, which gives us 1/3 of global food.
I'd love to share with you more facts, so if you are interested please do not hesitate to mail me: majabees@gmail.com
Defining ppm is not easy. Let me try - one ppm is like a single car in a bumper to bumper traffic across New York to San Francisco. Toxicity for Endosulfan in blood is lethal at limits above 0.86 ppm. It cannot be that anyone having more than this limit can survive. I agree with the comment by Mel that there is serious mistake with the findings by India's CSE institute. CSE is are wrong with their findings to be in range of 119 ppm. It is just not possbile. Scientifically impossible. There needs to be a investigation for this. Dave
ReplyDeleteThank you Mel for commenting on my blog. I see that you do not tolerate amateurism. I apologize vehemently if I have flared your anger in some manner.
ReplyDeleteI have attached two papers stating that it is toxic. Similarly, you may be able to send me a hundred different papers that claims it otherwise.Like global warming, the facts that uphold both sides are numerous.
Well the bottom line is, many people are sick, children are deformed and many are unable to lead a normal life that every individual has a right to. Endosulfan was found culprit for this with many studies concurring it. I admit i'm naive in the exact chemistry but since you are not, I pray that you don't close yourself to the possibility of it being the reason for such malformations and repeating the same mistakes we have committed.
http://www.ipen.org/ipenweb/documents/ipen%20documents/endosulfan_wa_cop4.pdf
ReplyDeletehttp://www.endosulphanvictims.org/resources/end_of_the_road.pdf
Dear Abraham
ReplyDeletethank you for spending time on reading my comment and for the files. As a matter of fact I have already had them. The thing is both of them come from non-scientific units. What I'm more concentrated on is the scientific truth.
The below link goes to website of EPA US, stating that Endosulfan is neither mutagenic nor carcinogenic.
http://epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/REDs/factsheets/endosulfan_fs.htm
Though as EPA states it is highly toxic. However there are thousands of other molecules in use, which are classified by EPA US and WHO and many other units as highly toxic and show same characteristics as Endosulfan, like for example Dimethoate. Dimethoate was sprayed in Germany to fight the plague of May beetles, killing by that all insects both beneficial and non-beneficial. (congratulations to EU Authorities again; if you would be interested in more information on that I can provide you with first-hand relations from people living there as I myself m based in Europe)
Below link goes to the most recent review of Endosulfan made by APVMA in Australia. I have to mention that it was made in order to check the rumors from USA of POSSIBLE carcinogenicity of Endoulfan. Again the results claim different. But check yourself.
http://www.apvma.gov.au/products/review/completed/endosulfan_statement.php
Plus there is one more thing which I really do not accept. Endosulfan in recent years was NOT banned by EU. The process of inclusion of agrochemicals and placing them on the market of EU requires taking review of products every few years. Once the time has come to defend Endosulfan no company in EU was interested in doing that as the market there does not require it. As you must know Endosulfan is mostly used in tropical countries, like Africa, India, Australia, South USA etc. Europe is situated in mild climate.
Hence Endosulfan was just NOT INCLUDED into Annex 1 of Directive 91/414. Simple as that.
What made me really shocked and think was the statement of the spokesman of VFA in Australia, who said that countries banning toxic pesticides are showing more weakness as they are not able to ensure appropriate conditions of using it, than they are concerned about the citizens.
PAN information are based on CSE report. And that one is scientifically impossible to accept.
Mel,
ReplyDeleteSorry for not replying earlier, got caught up in some work. thank you for the links.
Endosulfan maybe be beneficial if used properly, but in a country like India where safety and proper usage is not done, such chemicals should not be used extensively. In fact, the other day, I saw a 3 yr old playing with empty box of Insecticide.
But that is a different issue.
How can you dismiss the Kerala incident as a fraud? People don't grow limb malformations and mental retardation just to irk the endosulfan world. Something is amiss.
Why are people bothered about the livelihood of Endosulfan? Shouldn't they spend their energy in the pursuit of the real cause of the problem and put a stop to it.
again as i mentioned in the mail, if its ok with you, I would like to know your special concern on the issue
For me the most important thing are honeybee, which give 1/3 global food supply. My concern is for people. I don't want them to experience hunger and high prices of food. I'm sure you understand this point.
ReplyDeleteIn this matter Endosulfan is the last available molecule proven for its softness to honey bee and other beneficial organisms form.
Before replying to this post kindly go through latest US EPA report on Endosulfan.