ENDOSULFAN: HEALTH VERSUS WEALTH
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ENDOSULFAN:
HEALTH VERSUS WEALTH - extracted text
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ENDOSULFAN:
HEALTH VERSUS WEALTH
Travail de Maturite
Grace Kurian
2013-2014
KASARGOO,
Image 1-4: by Grace Kurian, and image 5from the Government ofKerala
Dedicated to all the people who are disabled, maimed and suffering
because ofpast endosulfan use in India
Travail de Maturite
2013-2014
Grace Kurian
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction
5
II. Statement ofthe problem
7
III. The Methods
8
IV. Theoretical Concepts
9
A) Pesticide Classification
9
a) Organochlorine pesticides
10
b) Cyclodienes
10
c) Endosulfan
11
B) Endosulfan Safety Precautions
11
C) Basic Toxicology Principles
12
D) World Health Organisation (WHO) Recommended Classification ofPesticides
13
V. The Health Hazards ofEndosulfan
13
A) Endosulfan contamination
^3
B) Effects ofEndosulfan contamination
^4
1. Nervous System Damage
^4
2. Disruption ofImmune Function
y Endocrine Disruption
14
4. Carcinogenicity
5. Effects on the Reproductive System
16
6. Teratogenicity and Genotoxicity
16
C) EpidemiologicalAspects
16
VI. The Story ofEndosulfan
18
A) Global use ofendosulfan
18
B) Endosulfan production
18
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VII. Endosulfan in India
Grace Kurian
19
A) Introduction to Kasargod District, Kerala
19
B) Endosulfan use in Kasargod
20
C) The Stakeholders’ Perspectives
22
1.Government
22
2.Non-Governmental Organisation
22
3. Agriculturalists
23
4. Doctors
24
S. Social activists
26
6. Industry
27
D) Evidence: Proofofendosulfan contamination in Kasargod
VIII. The Economics ofpesticide use and endosulfan
28
29
A) Needfor effective pesticides
29
B) Influence ofthe globalpesticide industry
30
C) Environmental Risks and Costs
30
D) Effect ofselfharm usingpesticide in the developing world
3i
IX. The Legislation linked to endosulfan andpesticide use
3i
A) Standard laws
3^
B) International Environmental Law: Stockholm Convention
31
C) Endosulfan Ban
32
X. Limitations ofthe research
33
A) Misinformation linked to the endosulfan issue andpesticides
33
B) Dichotomous views
34
C) Lack ofinterviews ofthe victims
34
XL Solutions: Alternative methods
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A) Alternativesfor endosulfan
Grace Kurian
35
1. Chemical alternatives
35
2. Semiochemicals
35
Bio~agriculture and biological systems
35
4. Agro-ecologicalpractices such as IPM (IntegratedPesticide Management)
36
5. Specific agriculturalpractices
36
B) The challenges to environmentallyfriendly agriculture
XII. Conclusion
37
38
A) General Conclusions
38
Personal Views
39
XIII: Acknowledgments
40
XIV. Bibliography
4i
Annex 1: Figures, Tables and Maps
43
Annex 2: Definitions
51
Annex
52
Interviews
Annex 4: Kerala's ChiefMinister s view on the endosulfan ban
59
Annex 5: Stockholm Convention Document
60
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I. Introduction
Important issues related to food production, agriculture and pesticides have not been highlighted in the
past few years, with the limelight being stolen by issues on global security or natural disasters. However
the fact remains that human beings need to eat, and they are competing with other species to access
food. In agriculture, combatting pests has been practiced since 1500 BC, when Egyptians made insect
icides to stop lice, fleas and wasps. The Greek poet Homer even talks about using sulphur. This trend
has remained until the current times.11! We now use synthesised chemicals to limit the damage caused
by pestilent organisms, and thus stay on top of the food chain - but to what extent does that competi
tion go?
For my Travail de Maturite, I wanted to study a problem with multiple facets reflecting the com
plexities of the real world. I looked in the field of health, being inspired by my parents. In my quest, I
found many irrationalities. For instance, the extent to which human beings disregard the natural envir
onment creating hazards for themselves, even though they dearly value their health and are willing to
pay huge amounts of money for its treatment and research.
Agriculture is a fundamental aspect of human society since food is essential for survival. It is
necessary to reflect about the food we eat; Where does it comes from? How is it grown? How nutri
tious is it? What is the impact of agriculture and food production on the environment? The importance
of such enquiry and analysis cannot be overemphasised, especially in a world where population is rising
and where a significant portion of humanity has limited access to food. Modern agriculture actively uses
pesticides. Organic farming, which prohibits the use of synthesised chemicals, is not widespread.
Therefore exposure to these chemicals is evident and extensive. In many countries, including India, no
one is able to avoid the chemical residue that has been used in agriculture since the 1950s and is still
used today. Nevertheless the impact of the use of certain pesticides hasn’t been fully studied or re
searched and many people are beginning to understand that along with increases in yield, humans are
exposed to massive doses of toxins in the form of pesticides. One such pesticide is endosulfan which
has been used in agriculture around the world to control insect pests.
The use of endosulfan in the district of Kasargod in the state of Kerala, India was a subject that
I came across when I was considering the Environmental Health situation in India. I chose it for my
a■
Travail de Maturite’ because there were recent media highlights that seemed quite relevant to me.
However, it was only when I properly started researching the issue that I realised how difficult it was to
find true facts. Not knowing the extent of endosulfan use in the region, its consequences or the seri
ousness of its impact, my only certainty was that the media had talked about it, and that it affected the
general population in Kasargod, a district in Northern Kerala. Many contradicting articles kindled my
curiosity to understand the theoretical aspects of pesticide use before delving into the situation in Kas
argod.
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My first step was to interview an Indian medical doctor working in the region affected by endo
sulfan over the telephone. My naive expectations for clear explanations were crushed. To my disap
pointment, the doctor seemed unclear about the certainty of the relationship between endosulfan use
and the so-called adverse effects the pesticide had on the population. I then realised that I had to do
more research on the subject, perhaps visit the region, in order to meet the stakeholders such as the
agriculturalists, doctors or activists involved in this issue to gain a deeper understanding of it.
I visited the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram and the affected district, Kasargod during my
visit to Kerala between Sth and 15th July 2013. I was confident that thanks to my roots in Kerala, my
ability to speak the local language, Malayalam, which is also my mothertongue, I would be able to get a
better understanding of the situation. On discussing with the affected populace in Kasargod, I quickly
realised how unique a case study I had stumbled upon. Endosulfan is one of the most toxic pesticides ,
responsible for many fatal pesticide poisoning incidents around the world. During my visit to Kerala, I
had the privilege of meeting the activists who were fully involved in initiating and mobilising the social
movement and'protest that resulted in the Stockholm Convention classifying endosulfan as a Persistent
Organic Pollutant (POP) in 2011 and subsequently led to a worldwide ban in 2012.
The research suddenly became a story of how an environmental movement had made history.
The ban changed my view on the impact ordinary people can have in society and made me realise that
sometimes, despite all the complexities and challenges, it is possible to contribute to change and ulti
mately transform people’s lives for the better.
Picture 1: Cashew plantation in Kasargod
by Grace Kurian
CEC Andre Chavanne
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Grace Kurian
II. Statement of the problem
Question 1: How can wejustify the use ofa toxicpesticide that harms human beings, along with the
environment?
Question 2: Can the use ofsuch pesticides be avoided without compromising on agriculturalyield?
Hypothesis: Endosulfan is a pesticide that is highly toxic to the environment, biodiversity and to
the health of human beings. However it has been usedfor economic reasons for many decades and
only phased out globally by the end of2012. My hypothesis is that it is possible to have alternative
methods of agriculture which would not harm human health and the environment, and which
could be used to have similar yield.
In order to answer these questions, I based my project on endosulfan use in cashew plantations
in the region of Kasargod, Kerala. Through this study I wanted to understand why pesticides are caus
ing problems, whether using them is fundamentally necessary and who made the decisions for their use.
I will limit my research to the region of Kasargod, and will not discuss the effects of endosulfan use in
other parts of the world.
I will be basing myself on the design of a descriptive study, which is usually done to examine
different disease rates in a population in relation to age, gender and other factors including the envir
onmental conditions. These studies aim to identify trends in disease occurrence and are useful to gen
erate further research.
Thankfully endosulfan was banned, shortly before I started the research, so the debates, allega
tions and counterallegations between interest groups had settled down and my questions were received
more objectively by all concerned.
The questions that I addressed in my project are the following: What is endosulfan? What is its
role in modern agriculture? Why is its use dangerous? How are human beings harmed by the chemical?
What were the justifications to use a dangerous pesticide? How was the ban made possible, after many
years of use? What are the lessons that we can learn from this issue?
I have attempted to understand the facts, using the information from the internet, scientific
reviews, personal interviews and a field visit, and to derive reasonable conclusions on the issue of pesti
cide use and its hazards.
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Grace Kurian
III. The Methods
Bench review: A basic understanding of the subject was achieved thanks to the use of Internet and sev
eral books that dealt with the subject of pesticides. For more accurate information concerning endo
sulfan, I was also able to collect factual and verifiable data from India.
Site visit: I visited the Non-Governmental Organisation THANAL, which is an environmental organ
isation based in Kerala that has been working on a number of issues of public interest especially related
to the environment, agriculture and livelihood generation, and that primarily does research, advocacy,
action and education.This visit enabled me to have a clear picture of the situation in Kasargod, the
northernmost district of Kerala State. This was followed by a field visit: I travelled to the region of
Kasargod, where I was able to meet many of the local activists who had played crucial roles in the
movement against endosulfan. I visited a rural health clinic and the cashew plantations in the hilly re
gion. My final visit in India was to the Non-Governmental Organisation the 1 Society for Community
Health Awareness Research and Action" (SOCHARA) in the city of Bangalore, Karnataka State, where I
was able to understand the notion of Environmental Health in India.
In depth interviews: I conducted a number of in-depth interviews of the key stakeholders in endosulfan
use in Kasargod. The following people were interviewed:
1.
M. Jayakumar C., a zoologist by training, one of the founders of THANAL (Non Governmental
Organisation for the environment, and protection of traditional agriculture), in Kerala. He is an act
ive representative of Civil Society movements at the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
Pollutants. Interviewed in English with notes and recordings on 9th July 2013.
2.
Sreemati Leelakumari, agricultural specialist and first person to have filed a legal case against the
use of endosulfan in Kasargod.Interviewed in Malayalam with notes on 13th July 2013.
3-
Dr. M. Asheel, MBBS, MPH, MDP a Public Health doctor who argued the case against endosulfan,
Asst. Nodal Officer Rehabilitation of Endosulfan Victims Govt, of Kerala. Interviewed in English
with notes and recordings on 13th July 2013.
4.
Prof. M A Rahman, documentary producer, writer, Social activist and retired Professor. Interviewed
in Malayalam with notes, on 13th July 2013.
5-
Prof. G B Valsan , writer, retired Professor and Social activist. Interviewed in Malayalam with notes,
on 13th July 2013.
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6.
2013-2014
Grace Kurian
Dr. Y. S Mohan Kumar., MBBS, who works in three primary health centres in the affected region of
Kasargod for more than 30 years. Interviewed in English with notes on 14th July 2013.
7.
Dr. A Pradyumna, MBBS, MSc Public Heath, responsible for research and training interests in En
vironmental Health and Epidemiology, SOCHARA, Bangalore, India. Interviewed in English with
notes and recording, on 30th July 2013.
IV. Theoretical Concepts
A) Pesticide Classification
Pesticides are substances used to optimise the yield in agriculture by preventing pests from destroying
crop. The World Health Organisation gives this definition:
“Pesticides are chemical compounds that are used to killpests, including insects, rodents, fungi and un
wantedplants (weeds). Pesticides are used in public health to kill vectors ofdisease, such as mosquitoes,
and in agriculture, to killpests that damage crops. By their nature, pesticides arepotentially toxic to
other organisms, including humans, and need to be used safely and disposed ofproperly. ”
Chemical pesticides that target insects are generally classified into four groups: W
Organophosphate Pesticides which affect the nervous system: it modifies the regulation of a neuro
transmitter called acetylcholine by disrupting its regulating enzyme. Most organophosphates are
insecticides, and they affect humans and insects in a similar manner. These substances have differ
ent degrees of toxicity but are usually not persistent in the environment.
2.
Carbamate Pesticides have the same effect as organophosphate pesticides on the nervous system,
except that for their effects are reversible. There are also different subclasses of carbamates.
3.
Organochlorine Pesticides are very toxic and many of them are non-biodegradable. They have signi
ficant long-term effects on health and the environment and therefore are not supposed to be on the
market anymore. However, they have often been used in the past century, before many of the side
effects were described, and before people realised they were highly persistent in the environment.
4.
Pyrethroid Pesticides are a synthetic version of the natural pesticide pyrethrin, which is found in
the chrysanthemum flower. They have been developed and modified in order to remain stable in
the environment. It is important to note that some pyrethroids can also be toxic to the nervous sys
tem.
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Grace Kurian
Furthermore, pesticides are distinguished depending on their function. For example, a chemical that
should be eradicating insects is called an insecticide, fungi is called fungicide and so on. Some pesticides
can have many functions (broad spectrum) and are used to be able to target many “pests”.
(See Figure A: List ofpesticidefunctions and examples oftheir targets-Annex 1)
a) Organochlorine pesticides
Organochlorines, or chlorinated hydrocarbons, is a class that represents a variety of compounds which
contain hydrogen, chlorine and carbon. These compounds can be toxic and this is the reason most of
them are banned. The compounds can be separated into five subgroups:
1.
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and analogues (dicofol, methoxychlor)
2.
Hexachlorocyclohexane (ibenzene hexachloride) and isomers (lindane, gamma-hexachlorocyclohex-
ane)
3.
Cyclodienes (endosulfan, chlordane, heptachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, isobenzan)
4-
Chlordecone, kelevan, and mirex
5.
Toxaphene
b) Cyclodienes
Each of these Organichlorine pesticides have different chemical structures. I will only detail the cyc
lodiene endosulfan since my main interest is this chemical.
Another infamous cyclodiene is DDT, or dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, which was thought to have
been the solution against harmful insects. It is harmful to the environment and human health- it is tox
ic to birds and fish and can cause interference with the reproductive system. For humans, DDT is still
considered a potential cancer agent. Since the development of this pesticide in the 1940s until its ban
in 1972, it is estimated that 675 000 tons of DDT had been used in the United States of America alone-
there are still traces of residue in food supply, the environment and human tissue including breastmilk,
although it was discontinued more than 40 years ago.[6]
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c) Endosulfan
Endosulfan, now considered a Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP), is a carbon containing substance
which resists photochemical, biological and chemical degradation. It is listed on the list of banned sub
stances of the Stockholm Convention. (See Legislation ofpesticides).
Figure 1: Ball and Stick model of the Endosulfan sulphate
• Black: Carbon, C
• White: Hydrogen, H
• Red: Oxygen, O
• Yellow: Sulfur, S
• Green: Chlorine, Cl
source: http://en.wikipedia.0rg/wiki/File:End0sulfan-3D-balls.png;
23.10.13; 19:32
Endosulfan is an organochlorine molecule. In physical form, endosulfan is available in two distinct
forms called a- and p-endosulfan. The mixture of the two is usually 2:1 to 7:3. The a- endosulfan has two
twist chair forms, but the p-endosulfan is symmetric. The p-endosulfan easily converts to a- endo
sulfan, but not vice-versa.W It appears cream or brown in colour, is most commonly found as crystalline
or flaky substance. It has a smell that resembles that of turpentine and is heat resistant (not combust
ible). However, when oxidised, the a- and p- isomers become endosulfan sulphate, which is even more
persistent1631. (See Figure B and C, Annex 1)
B) Endosulfan Safety Precautions
Endosulfan is meant to be used with caution and is labeled as a toxic substance. It should be sprayed
maximum two times on a hectare of plantations, and should not be applied on waterlogged soil, unless
the excess water can be captured The instructions specify that for cashew crops, the harvesting should
not be done for 14 days after the spraying.{6bl
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C) Basic Toxicology Principles
In toxicology, two of the most important concepts are dose and response. A dose is the quantity in mg
of a substance for one kg (of an organism). The higher the dose, the more dangerous the effects, even
more dangerous to a smaller body weight (e.g. a child). The response can be immediate or can be a res-
ult of cumulative exposure. Therefore a substance can appear to be harmless at first but can present
risks after a long period of time.
A term that is often used to compare the toxicity of different agents is LD50 [mg/kg] (or Medi
an Lethal Dose). This is the dose that results in the the death of 50% of subjects of a tested population
after a specified test duration.
LDm for the rat
W HO Class
(mg/kg body weight)
Oral
Dermal
Extremely hazardous
<5
<50
lb
Highly hazardous
5-50
50-200
II
Moderately hazardous
50-2000
200-2000
III
Slightly hazardous
Over 2000
Over 2000
U
Lnlikeh to present acute hazard
la
5000 or higher
Figures 2: Classification
of pesticides
source: The WHO recommended
classification of Pesticide by Haz
ard, and Guidelines to classification
2009, International Programme on
Chemical Safety (IPCS) (http://
www.who.int/ipcs/publications/
pesticides_hazard/en/ ; 23.10.2013;
11:06)
able 3.1. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can be grouped in multiple ways In this table known or potential EDCs are grouped uno
1 categories with examples of individual EDCs Bolded chemicals were selected since they are regarded to be of specific interest as EDCs
nd are described in more detail ui the text
Classification
Specific Examples of EDCs'
Persistent and bioaccumulative halogenated chemicals
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (Stockholm Convention) |
(section 11 1.1)
PCDDs/PCDFs, PCBs, HCB, PFOS PBDEs, PBBs, Chlordane. Mire*.
Toxaphene, DDT/DDE, Lindane.jfodosulfan |
Other Persistent and Bioaccumulative Chemicals
(section 3.1.12)
HBCDD, SCCP. PFCAs (eg PEOA), Octachlorostyrene. PCB methyl
sulfones
Less persistent and less bioaccumulative chemicals
Plasticizers and Other Additives in Materials and Goods
(section 3.1.1.3)
Phthalate esters iDEHP, B8P, DBP, DrNP), Triphenyl phosphate. Brs(2-eth
ylhexyliadipate, n-Butylbenzene Tridocarban, Butylated hydroxyanisole
Polycyclic Aromatic Chemicals (PACs) including PAHs
(section 3.1 1.4)
Benzo|a)pyrene, Benzo(a)anthracene, Pyrene, Anthracene
Halogenated Phenolic Chemicals (HPCs)
(section 31 IS)
2,4-Dichlorophenol , Pentachlorophenol, Hydroxy-PCBs. HydroxyPBDEs, Tetrabromobrsphenol A. 2,4.6-Tnbromophenol, Triclosan
Non-halogenated Phenolic Chemicals (Non-HPCs)
Bisphenol A Bisphenol F. Bisphenol S, Nonylphenol, Octylphenol,
CEC Andre Chavanne
Figure 3: Classification of
endosulfan as a Persistent
Organic Pollutant
source: State of the science of endo
crine disrupting Chemicals, 2012,
WHO, (http://www.who.int/ceh/publications/endocrine/en/; 23.10.12: 11:32),
Presented in Dr. Asheel’s sources
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D)
World
mended
Grace Kurian
2013-2014
Health
Organisation
(WHO)
Recom
Classification of Pesticides
The WHO set up a classification of pesticides in the World Health Assembly in Geneva in 1975, de
termining which are the less hazardous pesticides and which are more. It is based on the LD50 [mg/kg],
for mice and has been determined for oral doses and dermal doses.t81
Formerly, endosulfan had been described by the WHO as a moderately hazardous pesticide
which is also an organochlorine. However, it has been reviewed several times and is considered ex
tremely hazardous by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), highly hazardous by the European
Union and the United States Environment Protection Agency (EPA) f91 Lo]
Since the last revision by the WHO, endosulfan is called an endocrine disruptor, and has been
admitted to be a Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
V. The Health Hazards of Endosulfan
Most of the More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) have replaced organochlorines by
more easily biodegradable pesticides, whereas there is still production and usage of such pesticides in
many Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs). This has resulted in problems such as leakage
of unsealed stockpiles (with documented occurrences in many parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands).
The resultant unnecessary exposure and contamination has increased the risk of cancer (UNEP
2002a,b,d) *I2) and other exposure-related health problems. Studies have shown that pesticide contamin
ation maximally affects people in the agriculture sector. The rate of exposure in these people is second
only to those working in the industry (Brophy et al 2002) M Persistent and widespread dispersal of or
ganochlorines in the environment has an important gender effect affecting women and reproduction all
over the world through the food chain contamination/1^
A) Endosulfan contamination
Like all other organochlorines, endosulfan persists in the environment, in food, in wildlife and in hu
man bodies. As part of the first generation of pesticides used worldwide, organochlorines were particu
larly used in huge quantities, which resulted in a worldwide environmental contamination. (PAN Int
2007)^1
Endosulfan has been among the most extensively used organochlorines in the past 60 years,
since it had been made available in the 1950s. As the negative impact became increasingly evident many
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countries discontinued endosulfan use by the end of the the 20th century and its use was finally banned
worldwide in 2012. (See Chapter IX on Legislation)
Traces of endosulfan have been found
in breast milk, adipose tissue, pla
cental tissue, and umbilical cord
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Endosulfan is significantly associated with Neuro-behavioral
disorders. Cognitive disorders. Hydrocephalus, Mental Retardation.
Cortical blindness, Seizure disorders and Parkinson’s disease.
(C*baleiro el al 2008. Saiyed et al 2003. ATDSR 2000)
blood (Cerrillo 20op<l6}
Traces in breast-milk have been observed
in countries such as Australia, Cambodia,
China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Ja
pan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyr-
9
gistan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan,
Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Saudi Arabia,
Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand,
Turkey, Turkmenistan and Viet Nam. W
In 2005, infants in Bhopal, India
Figure 2: Pictures in the Government of Kerala re
port
absorbed 8.6 more times endosulfan that
the average daily intake levels recommen
ded by the WHO. (Sanghi et al 2OO3){i8)
source:Endsulfan: the Kerala Story, http://www.cseindia.org/userfiles/
endosulfan_kerala_story.pdf; 28.10.13; 02:00, (p. 37), also present in Dr.
Asheel’s sources
B) Effects of Endosulfan
contamination
1. Nervous System Damage
Endosulfan mainly affects mammalian brains by attaching itself to the receptor of the GABA (gammaaminobutyric acid) neurotransmitter. It is a non-competitive antagonist, that stops the neuron from
polarising back to its resting potential,the nerve cell therefore remaining in an uncontrollably excitable
state. ( UNEP/FAO 2007, PAN endosulfan document)
k°)
2. Disruption of Immune Function
The human Natural Killer T-cells are induced to cell death by endosulfan, which means that the T-cells
meant to regulate the health of normal cells are suppressed, giving more potential for the development
of cancer.
3. Endocrine Disruption
The endocrine system deals with the production and control of hormones in the human body. Endo
sulfan is an endocrine disruptor since it is oestrogenic, and causes the proliferation of MCF-7 human
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oestrogen sensitive breast^cancer cells.There are many ways in which pesticides encourage the prolifer
ation of these cells, but usually it involves the mimicking of the oestrogen hormone, creating the
growth of oestrogen-dependent breast tumours. There is strong evidence from in-vitro laboratory tests
for this process, (e.g. Soto et al 1991; Bonefeld Jorgensen et al 2005). Furthermore endosulfan is antiandrogenic, which means that the androgenic hormone is suppressed, and it is suggested that this too
causes an increase in risks of breast tumours (Andersen et al 2002; Kojima et al 2004).
Even in situations where endosulfan exposure is at very low concentrations, it can cause breast
cancer because of its interference with a number of hormonal mechanisms.
Women are greatly vulnerable to pesticides, and this is often not taken into account in toxicolo
gical risk assessment. Pesticide residue is mostly stored in fat, and since women have a higher propor
tion of body fat, pesticides which are hormonally active (called endocrine disruptors) profoundly
change the hormonallysensitive tissue, causing breast tumours during pregnancy and lactation . The
fact that natural hormonal changes occur in a cyclic nature (menstruation) add to the risks.
4. Carcinogenicity
Although endosulfan is not classified by the
International Agency for the Research on
Cancer (IARC), an organisation affiliated
to the World Health Organisation, as a
carcinogen, there have been many inde
GENOTOXICITY & TERATOGENICITY
Endosulfan is associated with many congenital malformations
including skeletal and neural abnormalities.
(Le maire ft al 2005. Sayed et al 2003. Sing «<d 2006)
Endosulfan shows mutagenic and genotoxic effects in human
lymphocytes and liver hepatoblastoma cells.
pendent studies which have found the sub
B
(Yadav at ai 1982. Pamtey «<al 1990)
stance to be carcinogenic (Reuber 1981),
genotoxic to bacteria (e.g. Chaudhuri et al
1999) and to human cells (Jamil et al 2004;
Lu et al 2000) and to mouse cells (Pandey
et al 1990), a tumour promoter (Fransson-
....
Steen 1992) and a mutagenic (Yadav et al
1982).
Endosulfan however is being more
Figure 3: Pictures in the Government of Kerala re
port
often described as a carcinogen, for ex
ample, the study by Antherieu et al in 2007
described endosulfan as a substance that
source:Endsulfan: the Kerala Story, http://www.cseindia.org/userfiles/
endosulfan_kerala_story.pdf; 28.10.13; 02:00, (p. 37), also present in Dr.
Asheel’s sources
generates oxygen radicals causing oxidative
stress, resulting in the damage of cell structure. This means that endosulfan has mutagenic effects, caus
ing DNA-strand breaks. It also was described to inhibit apoptosis, which is cell death, and this could
contribute to the survival of mutant cells, increasing the risk of cancer. Cancer occurs when cells mul
tiply in an uncontrolled manner. M
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At low concentrations, endosulfan is said to inhibit the aromatase enzyme, which catalyses the
conversion of androgen hormones to oestrogen (Andersen et al 2002). Many other potential cancer -
provoking effects can be described, which usually means enabling the possibility of cell proliferation.
(Laville et al 2006; Bradlow et al 2002; Rousseau et al 2002; Wozniak et al 2005). In addition to this,
endosulfan also interferes with the mammary gland by affecting mRNA transcriptional activity (Je et al
2OO5). <23}
5. Effects on the Reproductive System
Endosulfan causes the decrease in male sexual cells (spermatozoa), by inducing their degeneration, their
death or simply causing aspermatogenesis <24\ which is the failure in a male to produce spermatozoa.
(Daisenter et al 1999, ATDSR 2000, Sinha et al 2ooi){2s}
6. Teratogenicity and Genotoxicity
Endosulfan is teratogenic and mutagenic and can cause several types of genotoxic effects. Brain dis
order and birth defects have been studied in laboratories and in human populations that have been ex
posed. It is linked to long-term neurological effects such as epilepsy, and may cause Parkinson’s disease.
{26}
Other problems linked to the central nervous system have been noted among children having
faced exposure such as cerebral palsy, growth and/or mental retardation, epilepsy and skeletal abnormal
ities. (See definition in Annex 2) It is important to note that there is an increased rate of miscarriages
among women, which again can indicate problems linked to the foetuses.Psychiatric problems have
been noted, with an increase in suicidal tendencies, all within the population under the age of 25. {27>
C) Epidemiological Aspects
‘Epidemiology is the study ofthe distribution and determinants ofhealth-related states or events (including
disease), and the application ofthis study to the control ofdiseases and other health problems. W{28)
The largest amount of studies linking pesticides and breast cancer have been carried out in relation to
organochlorine pesticides. This class of pesticides is easily measured in adipose tissue, serum and breast
milk. Many can also be described as endocrine disruptors influencing oestrogen levels, and carcinogens,
this has been shown in the laboratory However, it is to be noted that while some epidemiological stud
ies show the association to endocrine disruption and cancer and others have not.
One of the problems with epidemiological studies is that they fail to see the link of causality
between the pesticides and the effects, as it was observed for many years with DDT. The main issue
concerns the level of residues that decreases after the ban of a certain pesticide and the determination
of an exposure, which will strongly dependent on each situation and are measured with difficulty. In the
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case of endosulfan, more than 1500 publications discuss the dangers that this substance can have on
humans and the environment. These have been and presented by Dr. M. Asheel, who kindly gave me
the presentation that helped convince the Stockholm Convention and the Supreme Court of India. I
will base myself on this presentation for the following explanations.
See Dr. Asheels interview, Annex f)
The two important questions concerning endosulfan use are:
• Is there enough scientific evidence on health effects of endosulfan?
• How strong is the evidence?
There are two approaches when evaluating the toxicity of an agent:
1.
Observational studies to investigate the contact between the agents and the chemical, and it can be
done either prospectively or retrospectively.
2.
Experimental studies under controlled conditions on animals, living tissue or cells. The results can
then be extrapolated to human and animal populations.
It is possible to establish “causality”, which is the relationship between two events (the cause and the
effects), where the second effect is the consequence of the first. This requires rational deductive analys
is of scientific evidence.
The principles involve six points:
• Temporality
• Association
• Strength of association
• Consistency of association
• Dose response
• Biological Plausibility
All of these points have been fulfilled with regard to endosulfan. (See Chapter VII. Endosulfan in India,
Section D) Evidence: Proofofendosulfan contamination in Kasargod)
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VI. The Story of Endosulfan
A) Global use of endosulfan
Since its development in the 1950s, endosulfan has been used an agricultural insecticide. In the last
decade, different sources around the world such as health-related websites, government agencies or
companies have given technical information about endosulfan, concerning its (eco)toxicity, environ
mental fate, residue in foodstuffs and feedstuff or environmental concentrations, particularly in this last
decade.bd
Endosulfan is an insecticide mainly used to control chewing, sucking and boring insects, includ
ing the tea mosquitoe and was used on a very wide range of crops (See Figure D: Table ofpests targeted by
endosulfan, Annex 1). Certain ornamental and forest trees were sprayed, and this substance is also known
to preserve industrial and domestic wood.
The use of endosulfan was already banned by 2010 in least 60 countries including Switzerland.
Countries that were using endosulfan in 2010, included the USA and India, bd
Today, endosulfan is being phased out globally.
B) Endosulfan production
Endosulfan was developed in the early 1950s. The produc
tion is fairly simple, involving three steps, and by 1984
10,000 tonnes per year was being produced. In the follow
ing decades, the production further expanded to 18,000 -
20,000 tonnes per year. In China, 4,602 tons in 2006,
5,003 tons in 2007, and 5,177 tons in 2008 were produced.
Germany stopped producing its almost 4,000 tons per
year in 2007 but continued exporting until the end of 2010
(UNEP/POPS/POPRC.5/io/Add.2) bd. Other producers
were thought to be located in Israel, Brazil and the Repub
lic of Korea. (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.5/io/Add.2) bd. This
means that annual production amounted to 18,000 -
Picture 4: Farmer in the State of
Orissa, North India, spraying endo
sulfan before the 2011 ban
source: http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp ?
id=i4778; 4.11.13; 23:36
20,000 tons worldwide in 2010, with approximately
10,000 being produced in India, 5,000 tonnes in China and 3,000 to 5,000 tons in Israel, Brazil and the
Republic of Korea, bd
Historically, the production of endosulfan in Europe came up to 10,000 to 50,000 tonnes per
year,. However, it was stopped in the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands and in Italy in
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2006/2007, According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, endosulfan produc
tion was stopped in the USA by 1980s. Columbia was an endosulfan producer until 2001, when produc
tion was banned. M (See Figures E,F,G and H- Showing maps of endosulfan usage in the worldprior to the global
phasing out Annexe I)
VII. Endosulfan in India
India was the world’s largest producer (9,900 tonnes per year) and the leading exporter (4,104 tonnes in
2007-08 to 31 countries), according to the United Nations Environment Programme. The production of
endosulfan was banned in India in May 2011, but until then it accounted for 50% -60% of global pro
duction.
A) Introduction to Kasargod District, Kerala
The Kasargod district is situated on the northern tip of Kerala, between theWestern Ghats Mountain
range and the Arabian Sea, with 14 rivers flowing in this one district. It took me twelve hours to travel
from the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvanathapuram, to Kasargod. The countryside is magnificent, with
a thousand shades of green reflected in the many lagoons and estuaries that characterise its unique eco
system. Professors Rahman and Valsan explained the history, geography and socio-economic setting of
this region, and thanks to them I could access such important information. (Seefull interview Annex3)
There is a vast diversity among the people: seven different languages are spoken in this region,
which creates linguistic barriers. There is also the coexistence of different religions: Hinduism, Islam
and Christianity. Unfortunately, unlike in the rest of Kerala, interreligious conflicts have occurred, and
tensions still do exist. In Kasargod, our local driver explained the problems that had arisen these past
few years related to emigration, increased religious fundamentalism and political tensions. Along with
this, there has also been the environmental havoc caused by endosulfan Nevertheless, in this tropical
paradise, there are few apparent obvious signs of it.
Over the centuries, the region has been conquered many times, because of its fertile lands: the
eight historic forts prove this, having been built by successive kingdoms that ruled at different periods.
Nowadays, Kasargod is highly political, with many political parties and trade unions. Another interest
ing fact is the existence of a prominent matriarchal Nair community in this region,where women play a
prominent role in the community^) In the wider Kerala context, women have been encouraged to be
educated, and therefore to express their voices and opinions along with men.
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Pictures 6, 7 and 8: Pictures of Kasargod, Kerala
by Grace Kurian
B) Endosulfan use in Kasargod
The Green Revolution in India took place in the 1970s. It was a policy that was adopted because of
prospects of famine and mass starvation following a post-war population boom. It consisted in the use
of high-yielding seeds, irrigation and pesticides, bd In the context of the Green Revolution in India, the
use of pesticides was initiated and endosulfan was introduced in Kerala. Cashew is a crop that was
brought by the Portuguese in the 15th century, to avoid soil erosion. The cashew nut is expensive. In
1976, the Kerala Plantation Corporation first started using endosulfan in cashew plantations, as part of
a new monoculture. They decided to invest in this cash crop for exports, and started using endosulfan
because of the tea mosquito, which was claimed to infest the fruit of the cashew tree. (See full interview
ofProf Rahman and Prof Valsan Annex f)
In 1977, it was decided that the chemical would be sprayed by helicopter over the plantations.
Since the region is so politically active, there were mild protests because of the few jobs that were lost.
But nothing significant was done. What followed was the widespread use of the pesticide. In 1978,
there was a fist article published by Shree Padre, a farmer and journalist from Kerala, called “Life is
cheaper than cashew”, which reported the birth of a deformed calf. This article is very important in
terms of chronology, for it is one of the earliest complaints against endosulfan, and was mentioned by
many of the stakeholders including Jayakmar C, Prof Rahman and Prof Valsan. (See the respective inter
views in Annex f).
The region was indeed facing strange changes, and there were complaints from farmers. This,
however, was dismissed as allegations, and nothing was done about it. In 1997, Dr. Mohan Kumar wrote
about the situation in Kasargod where many of the families living around a particular stream were born
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with handicaps.However, some medical committees made investigations, for example in 1992 the Dr.
Banerji Committee recommended severe restrictions which were not respected, not until 2001.
“Harvesting is done between March and April, and there are three to four people who harvest a
kilogram of cashew, they have to eat during the season and this despite the water contamination or
pesticide sprays.” said Dr. Mohankumar. The precautions also stated that the area that had been
sprayed could not be entered for at least 15 days. It was supposed to be done 5m above the trees, but it
used to be done almost 70m above the trees, as mentioned by Dr. Mohankumar, Prof. Rahman and
Prof. Valsan.
In 1998, Sreemati (title that shows respect) Leelakumari, an agricultural expert, took the case
of endosulfan use to the municipal court, asking for relief. With the help of the Non Governmental Or
ganisation THANAL. In 2000, a person from Pesticide Action Network Asia-Pacific, came to investig
ate on the problem and concluded that it was indeed the endosulfan that was causing the problems. It
was then described how endosulfan isomers Q- and p-endosulfan breaks down into endosulfan sulphate
when heated, which is a substance which is persistent in soil, water, air and fat. It’s half life is around
800 days. (recounted to me by Jayakumar C . from THANAL (Seefull interview Annex f)
Smti Leelakumari won the case to ban endosulfan at a state level by 2001, exactly a quarter of a
century after its first use. (See Chapter IX. Legislation of endosulfan, Section C) Endosulfan Ban) Many court
interventions took place in the years that followed concerning the relief for the victims. In 2005, the
District Endosulfan Remediation and Relief Cell was formed. A year later, the State of Kerala started
relief work. Dr Mohankumar recounted the building of “bud-schools”, that provide physiotherapy and
teach disabled children with physical and mental handicaps.Eleven such schools were built. (See Dr Mo
hankumar s interview Annex f)
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source: http://files.prokerala.com/kerala/maps/kerala-location-map.jpg; 20:10:13; 01:56; Dr Asheel’s presentation
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C) The Stakeholders’ Perspectives
(For thefull interviews see Annex f)
"Kerala is the only place where you can walk into a tea shop
and talk about endosulfan." Those were the opening words of
Dr. M. Asheel as he spoke at the Stockholm Convention in
Geneva in ApriI 2011.
1. Government
The company responsible for the aerial spraying in cashew plantations was the Kerala Plantation Cor
poration, a government-owned company This may appear scandalous, but the truth is that they did not
follow safety regulations like the appropriate height from which the spraying should be done, or the
time during which human activity in the sprayed areas had to be limited. Farmers, doctors and even the
government workers who mixed the pesticides have reiterated this fact. The huge overexposure of the
population is probably the result of greed for profit at the expense of poor and powerless small farmers
in the region and workers in the plantations. After many years the government has decided to support
the people who suffered because of the endosulfan spraying through comprehensive welfare schemes..
Furthermore government schools have been started for the mentally retarded children.
2.Non-Governmental Organisation
Tuesday yth July 2013
Jayakumar C., zoologist, one of the founders of THANAL (Conservation, Action and Informa
tion Network), activist
Hopeful to get more information in India, my first interview was in Thiruvanantapuram, the capital city
of the state of Kerala. Jayakumar welcomed me and gave me a detailed summary on the events concern
ing endosulfan use, its ban and THANAEs involvement in the campaign to ban the pesticide. Initially
assisting Smti Leelakumari to prove that endosulfan was the root cause of the diseases that were strik
ing Kasargod, THANAL went on to participate in the Stockholm Conference for Persistent Organic
Pollutants supporting the global ban of endosulfan.
Jayakumar also introduced me to some of the key actors namely Smti Leelakumari, Dr Mohankumar, and Dr M. Asheel. During the interview, an interesting point was raised on reason why the
substance had affected Kasargod so much. In the 1960s there had been land reforms in Kerala, when a
communist party came officially to power through a democratic election. Though they did not remain
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in power continuously, it was enough for the feudal system in Kerala to be completely changed. Each
person cultivated his or her own land. This meant that people lived on there land, interspersed among
the different plantation grounds. “The farmers themselves used to initially stand on the border of the
plots, to show where the helicopters should spray the chemical” explained Jayakumar about the dread
ful use of pesticides. Moreover, due to the fertility of the land, people have been attracted to Kerala,
making it one of the most densely populated regions in India, again increasing human exposure to the
pesticide.
The international concern was then expressed, as endosulfan had a socio-economic impact. Fur
thermore, a global ban would stop the bio-accumulative and the long-range transport of the molecule.
This phenomenon is called the grasshopper effect, and it was shockingly explained to me that endo
sulfan could be carried through the air, so much so that breast milk samples in Denmark and Finland
had clear traces of endosulfan.
An intriguing criticism was made by Jayakumar: it seems that healthcare that is administered in
the world is 93% palliative, and 7% preventive. In medical schools, for example, very little is taught
about such extensive toxicological aspects.
Another saddening fact that was mentioned during the interview was that Israel had published
a paper back in 1979, which said that endosulfan could cause brain damage. This is a few years after en
dosulfan was introduced in Kerala. Around 9000 to 10000 people suffered direct health problems in
Kasargod according to Jayakumar, who worked on the field to prove the link between the pesticide and
the effects. Thankfully, after the ban of pesticides in India, many of the alternatives that have been sug
gested are biological, which is a milestone for agroecology.
Jayakumar and his wife Usha are both founders ofTHANAL, and
they have dedicated their lives to the safeguard of the environment.
3. Agriculturalists
Saturday lyth July 2013
Sreemati Leelakumariamma, agricultural specialist
"What has been done to the land and to the people causes me much pain" said Agricultural officer
Sreemati Leelakumari who worked for the Plantation Corporation of Kerala for many years, and dis
tributed endosulfan as part of her job. "I would tell the farmers to be very careful with it, as a pesticide
was actually poison (vesham), not to be considered as medicine (marunne)." she says of the toxic sub
stance. Even worse were the aerial sprays. After buying the land on which her house was built, close to
cashew crops in Kasargod, her husband, children and she moved into a barren land. " The aerial spray
ing would take place three times a year and the helicopters would fly over the entire countryside "There
were no wild boars, no frogs and no fish in the river." A year went by and she noticed that her son was
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getting skin problems, and that he was having trouble breathing. She also realised that the local people
were facing increasing health problems, as well as fewer fish to eat. As a mother, a citizen and a human
being, she felt responsible; she had studied about pesticides in university and knew the health problems
had something to do with them. She filed a case in 1997, literally taking the company that employed her
to court. "Everyone was against it, the people, my husband (who also worked for KPC) and the police
men." She triggered a social movement that would change the international classification of endosulfan.
Thanks to her, endosulfan was first banned in Kerala in 2001, and with the help of THANAL, an NGO
that fought for the ban till the end, an international ban was issued in October 2012 and in India this
was valid from May 2013 onwards.
Sreemati Leelakumari received many awards and books have been written describing her key role.
4. Doctors
Saturday 13th July 2013
Dr. Mohamed Asheel, MDBS, MPH, MDP Asst. Nodal Officer Rehabilitation of Endosulfan
Victims Govt, of Kerala
Dr Asheel is a young doctor who recently completed his Master’s Degree in Public Health. He literally
risked his life whilst campaigning for the ban of endosulfan, standing up against pesticide companies
and going to court as a doctor backed only by scientific evidence.
At first he looked into the endosulfan issue following the request of a university professor, and
realised, it was not just another story hyped up by the media, but had in reality had devastating con
sequences. Having researched the topic of pesticides, he found out about the Stockholm Convention
on Persistent Organic Pollutants, and realised that the only NGO participating in it was from Kerala.
He then contacted Jayakumar at THANAL and then present the medical evidence concerning the
hazards of endosulfan during the conference held in Geneva.
The politics involved in the conference were baffling, as the government of India, the world’s
largest producer of endosulfan, opposed the ban, but the State of Kerala was for the ban. (See Chapter
VIII “Legislation Section”, underpoint c: “Endosulfan Ban”).
What really interested me were all the complications linked to influence, power and the answer
to the simple question of who made a decision. In the end it was pure and simple politics.
The scientific facts were clear, the use of endosulfan was dangerous, and endosulfan levels in
people were extremely high. He cited many shocking facts in his presentation, which was truly compel
ling and well put together.
In the end, the Stockholm convention listed endosulfan as a chemical to be phased out, but India
settled by saying that endosulfan would only be banned in Kerala and Karnataka, the regions where
there had been problems. The response was immediate, and the Democratic Youth Federation of India,
which is a youth communist party in Kerala went to the Supreme Court of India (See Chapter VIII “Le~
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gislation Section”, underpoint c: “Endosulfan Ban”).
Dr. Asheel made a very important point when I asked how come it had taken so long for the world to
recognise the problems linked to endosulfan. He said that “science is falsifiable”, and therefore that it is
possible to change facts, in order to push for decisions which can harm the population.
DrAsheel is currently working on the rehabilitation ofendosulfan victims and guiding in the com
pilation ofvictims who will benefitfrom state support.
Sunday 14th July 2013
Dr. Mohankumar Y. S., MDBS, worked in Kasargod for more than 30 years
We drove up to the hilly regions of Kasergod Kerala, and met the doctor who had kept very precise re
cords of the ailments of patients in the region being affected by endosulfan.
Dr Mohankumar recounted that he had started working here in 1982. There were three clinics in
this rural region bordering Karnataka, and the doctor was not expecting to see many difficult cases in
the region, since the place was pristine and people were healthy.“There was practically no anemia or
malnutrition, which was great and indicated an ideal place, this place is actually called Swarga (heaven)”
he said, indicating the road-sign.
During the initial years, the doctor noticed many strange diseases which were both psychiatric
and physical, and each house started having 3 to 4 sick people. At that point he wrote to senior doctors
in the neighbouring towns but no serious investigation was done from the State. Slowly, more effects
could be seen within the population such as more epilepsy, miscarriage and other abnormalities, in chil
dren and adults. The helicopters flew two times a year, and slowly “Swarga (heaven) became a livinghell” as
Dr. Mohankumar put it. The article he wrote in 1997 about the situation was published in the Kerala
Medical journal, but proof of the correlation between endosulfan and the diseases were difficult to
prove. There were only two places in India where there had been the use of aerial spraying: one was
Kerala, the other Karnataka (the neighbouring state). Similar abnormalities were recorded in Daramsala, Karnataka, although there were fewer reactions than in Kerala.
The ban in Kerala really changed the situation. There has been a noticeable decline in such cases
according to Dr. Mohankumar. The effects significantly decreased since 2001: there are fewer miscar
riages and abnormalities. In the last five years not even birth abnormality has come to Dr Mohankumar.
“But society will have to take care of the victims, and wait for another two generations to be really rid
of genetic anomalies.” he explained.
Dr. Mohankumar took part in a national television debate on social issues directed by Aamir
Khan, a veteran film director, in a nationally televised programme called Satyamev Jayate, exposing the
endosulfan scandal and testifying the reduction of miscarriages after the stop of the areal sprays. He
was later sued and harassed by the pesticide companies, but the people of the region defended him.
His observations provided scientific evidencefor the toxicity caused by endosulfan
Tuesday 30th July 2013
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Dr Pradhyumna, MDBS, MSc Public Heath, responsible of research and training in
terests in Environmental Health and Epidemiology, SOCHARA, Bangalore, India
A few weeks after my visit to Kasargod, I went to Bangalore, one of the biggest cities in South India.
There my uncle took me to the (Society for Community Health Awareness Research and Action)
SOCHARA office, where I met a doctor who is also very interested in the environment. I interviewed
him mainly about the state of environmental health in India. ‘‘Environmental Health as a subject is evolving
on a global scale, the most basic definition of it is actually: How does the environment impact human health, and spe
cifically how do changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the environment impact human
health.” he pointed out. He continued by saying that in India the environment is not taken seriously
enough. More emphasis is given to the industry. Even farmers, who know that pesticides are bad for
health, use them. Hence they always cultivate some crops without pesticides and keep it for the family.
Political will is actually crucial when it comes to such issues, and politics is linked to economics. In our
world, it seems difficult to change the fact that the poor become poorer and the rich become richer.
Many international companies come to India, because the rules are easier to get around. After this con
versation, it was rather difficult to ignore the blatant injustice that certain people in India are facing.
But here again he mentioned the Kasargod case as a unique situation where one pesticide was used,
and this enabled people to identify it and prove the dangers of the environmental pollutant, thanks to
temporality- thefact that after the ban, the situation improved.
jr. Social activists
Saturday 13th July 2013
Professor M. A. Rahman, documentary producer, writer, retired Professor and social
activist
Professor G. B. Valsan,writer, retired Professor and social activist
During this interview I met retired professors, or rather professors who had merely changed their pro
fession. They had actively participated in the fight to ban endosulfan, and most recently written a book,
and Prof Rahman made a film documentary about the issue. They also had set up an organization to
help the victims. Thanks to them, I really understood the socio-political and geographical aspects of
the problem. (See Chapter V. Endosulfan in India, Section A and B))
The language barriers and ethnic tensions were described, along with the a historic overview of
the story. Since the cashew plantation was a monoculture, nitrogen fixing would not be renewed, which
was a long-term problem. And as the first environmental movement in India, the Silent Valley, took off,
Kasargod was peaceful, or so it seemed. In reality, the biodiversity was highly affected and was being
destroyed. “After the Green Revolution food went from being organic to exactly the opposite.”, they
explained that the argument that is repeatedly used is that a higher yield that could be collected. Some
say that this is not true and that absolutely no higher yield can be noted.
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The misuse of endosulfan was also underlined, like the fact that the highly wet topography of the
area was not taken into account. The regulations were not followed and the local population suffered;
up in the villages, people went on with their daily lives, eating contaminated livestock, and drinking the
water. However those who took the decisions stayed away from the region.
They highlighted the importance of Smti Leelakumari who initiated the movement, and Dr Mo
han Kumar who helped by writing detailed observations of the victims. The Centre of Science and En
vironment of India (CSE) works on a national level, but they took a long time to see the problem. “Certain people still maintain that there is no problem.” But now it is undeniable, as the NIOH and the
government of Kerala has admitted it.
ylw organisation named "ENVISAGE” (Endosulfan Victims Support Group) was set up two years
back by activists, including the interviewees. Masters Valsan and Rahman have written extensively
about the subject in Malayalam magazines. Six groups in the Arabian Gulfare currently active and
many people help this charity organisation. The aim is to help the victims by setting up palliative care
facilities,for example.
6. Industry
The pesticide industry made a huge loss when endosulfan was internationally phased out because its
industry was worth billions. I was unable to contact any of the members of the industry. However, the
interviews gave a lot of insight into the power of the industry and the role it played during the 25 years
of spraying.
For example many, of the interviewees mentioned the pressure that the industry exerted on the
local politicians and the influence they had on the local communities when it came to the use of endo
sulfan. This can be illustrated by a scene of the documentary film by Prof. Rahman, which shows re
porters threatened by farmers when they were asking questions
about victims.
Furthermore, the fact that many of the government agen
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oi ‘rtrrf
'TKc^Mvgor'i
nTOj*
.Wf
Figure 5: Page of a Malayalam magazine article with
9s (»'V3 440
«»*5rr;
ta.vi
TOTv'riiwc*
'? W'.'TOf 'Wxr^n:
t'R.v»aKQ'' jJ-)o xirtH
e^,*»
■oxTV.
-ntfnjW or<
f'txlp
tovI e-e»i
T>vns©.>TOQ^>4 onoirt Axxm,
fcuoeftTv’
eMMno g«w>9*
«j>ito<X£O'niA«i0C>'rMC4acP®
oc*v
Source: Prof. G. B. Valsan
CEC Andre Chavanne
TOxrt
escrnf •
Page 27 of 60
Grace Kurian
Travail de Maturite
2013-2014
D) Evidence: Proof
tion in Kasargod
of endosulfan contamina
Concerning the story of endosulfan use in Kasargod in India, the elements of causality were evident:
temporality and association were achieved thanks to the fact that Dr. Mohan Kumar had observed the
symptoms of many of the inhabitants of the region where endosulfan was being sprayed, and docu
mented them. Then following the ban on endosulfan in Kerala in 2001, there was a reduction of the
effects, and temporality was con
firmed.
A for association,
people working in the fields
and people living in the re
gions were affected, and not
the people living in neighbour
ing regions where endosulfan
r
Ji
was being sprayed.
r .y
The risk here was ag
9 f
t d
gregate (linked to one pesti
cide), not cumulative (linked
F •* L
*
to the use of a group of chem
'
■
icals that share a common
mechanism, like organochlor-
determine the causal associ
Picture 9: Teratogenic and Mutagenic effects observed
in Kasargod, Kerala, after 25 years of areal spraying
ation between endosulfan and
source:http://socialism.in/wp-content/uploads/2oii/o6/endocolashi.jpg; 28.10.11;
ines), hence it was easier to
these adverse effects, than
coining the endosulfan adverse effects among the effects of a cocktail of pesticides. Moreover, more
than 1500 scientific publications were written on the effects of endosulfan including one by the Nation
al Institute of Occupational Health in India (NIOH) {35> which concluded that there was a significantly
higher prevalence of neurobehavioral disorders and congenital malformations in female subjects, and
abnormalities linked to the male reproductive system, in the endosulfan-exposed group than in a refer
ence group from the neighbouring region. The consistency and strength of association were determined
thanks to the number of papers that related similar happenings in other endosulfan-exposed regions.
The biological plausibility and dose response relationship were also very clear, since endosulfan
blocks the receptor for the GABA neurotransmitter, which makes neurological health hazards highly
likely.
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The dose response was observed in the
Out of the total identified
cases (4273)
laboratory, but also in the Kasargod case,
since a government committee during Chief
1.
Ncurobehavioral and cognitive disorders
1624 (38%)
2.
Endocrine and reproductive disorders
641 (15%)
Kerala Plantation Corporation’s supervision
3.
Multiple congenital disorders (including
748(17.5%)
of the spraying did not respect the safety pre
Minister Achuthanandan’s time said that the
cautions. Although this supposedly high dose
skeletal deformities)
Allergic diseases, skin and respiratory
1145(26.8%)
induced many catastrophic effects, low doses
have also been described to disrupt cerebral
illness
cortical functions.
5
Cancers
A report was published
342(8%)
by the Government of Kerala, acknowledging
•Same patients can have multiple conditions
the negative impact of endosulfan and de
manding a global ban. It gives statistical evid
Figure 6: Statistics on endosulfan patients
from the Government of Kerala
ence on the 4273 victims living in Kasargod.
{37)
source:Endsulfan: the Kerala Story, http://www.cseindia.org/use]
files/endosulfan_kerala_story.pdf; 28.10.13; 02:00, (p. 37)
The truth is that many of these reports are
very recent and can only be found in publica
tions and not in textbooks.
VIII. The Economics of pesticide use and endo
sulfan
A) Need
for effective pesticides
Pesticides are considered necessary for agriculture, as its use is claimed to prevent the loss of up to one
third of agricultural produce from pests and hence contributes to providing nourishment for the popu
lation. It is also vital for Public Health as pesticides form a key tool for countering vectorborn diseases
such as malaria that is transmitted through mosquitoes. Although it is poisonous because of its aim to
destroy pests, it can be viewed as "environmental medicine", as it can correct insect imbalances J?8!
Most lobbyists who promote the Pesticide industry use this as evidence, which is nevertheless
debatable, and will be discussed in the Chapter on solutions.
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B) Influence of the global pesticide industry
A current study has shown that the pesticide industry is valued at 49 billion US dollars and it is estim
ated that it will grow to 59 billion US dollars by 2016 USD.
In comparison, the budget spent on de
fence in India is of 46,1 billion USD in 2013, Sth biggest military spender, the biggest being the United
States of America with 682 billion spent on defence, followed by China which spends 166 billion USD
Uo] (Switzerland spends much less in comparison, about 4.8 billion). The demand in developing coun
tries will further rise, and countries such as Brazil, Argentina and China are expected to buy large
quantities of pesticides for their economies.bsd
C) Environmental Risks and Costs
It is it is difficult to both assess and manage environmental risk, as the causes and effects are often diffi
cult to determine. In Kasargod, the first complaint in 1979 regarding pesticide contamination was seen
as an allegation. The effects were initially not obvious, however they became more evident when the
prevalence of diseased children increased.
What happened in Kasargod is not unusual because pesticide poisoning generally occurs within
a long chain of events. To begin with, it is applied to an agricultural field, and the pesticide may be
evenly or unevenly spread. This may or may not be present in the harvested foods and may or may not
be ingested by people. The final health hazard will only be perceptible in certain people, depending on
their age, sex, the levels of ingestion of pesticides or other characteristics of the consumer.
In addition to this uncertainty comes the cost. In India, the cost of replacing endosulfan with
chemical alternatives has been estimated from o to 9.63 million US dollars (See Figure I on Estimated costs
for replacing endosulfan, Annex 1)
Another challenge with environmental risk is the time span between the initial pollution and
the visible signs of adverse effects. “It may take years or even decades for a hazard to turn into a risk.”b6]
This happened in the case of Kasargod as well.
The next most important question is: Whose assessment of the risk should be taken into ac
count? While judging environmental risk, two parties are concerned: the expert and the lay person.b6]
In the case of endosulfan, the experts were not necessarily part of the government or the industry, but
were closely linked with the people working in the field, hence the evidence was credible and stood
scrutiny.
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D) Effect of
2013-2014
self
harm using
Grace Kurian
pesticide
in
the
DEVELOPING WORLD
Suicide remains one of the most common causes of mortality in the younger populations in India and in
many other developing countries. Pesticides are a common means by which people commit suicide. It is
often accessible to the public as it is available in high concentrations, and is cheap because of public
subsidy In case of a failed suicide attempt, it often results in various long deleterious effects. This phe
nomenon has mainly been observed in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This is negative for the economy,
but also for the health and well being of the population and constitutes a societal cost. Thus opting for
more organic agriculture, that does not promote the use of chemicals, is an important task for these
countries,
IX. The Legislation linked to endosulfan and
pesticide use
A) Standard
laws
Most countries respond similarly to pollution: they use emission charges as an economic incentive to
reduce pollution. International agreements are made when a problem concerns more than one country,
as it is the case with Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs),
The problem with environmental legislation is that it is difficult to enforce. Nevertheless, the
importance of having regulation is not diminished, even if the execution is weak, for at least it is de
scribed that something is banned and there is then a legal basis on which one can complain.
B) International Environmental Law: Stockholm Convention
In International law a Convention or a treaty is a legal document which has to be accepted by a certain
state and ratified in the state’s national law to become valid. There are several steps towards the cre
ation of a convention: first there is the adoption of a legal text, which then has to be signed and ratified
by a certain number of countries for the law to become official. Once the law is ratified it has to be im
plemented in the national laws of the countries.1^!
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) is a global treaty in Inter
national Law. It was adopted at a Conference of Plenipotentiaries on 22 May 2001 in Stockholm,
Sweden. The Convention entered into force on 17 May 2004, on the ninetieth day after the date of de-
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posit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, conditions stipulated
by the Convention.^
The Stockholm Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from chemicals
that remain intact for long periods, and become distributed geographically, accumulating in human tis
sue and wildlife. The chemicals are divided into three categories: Annexe A, B and C. Annexe A lists the
pesticides to be eradicated, and endosulfan is one of them.
Figure J: Liste ofPersistent Organic Pol
lutants which are destined to be eliminated, Annex 1)
The exposure to these 23 chemicals is deemed to lead to severe human and health effects.
The countries which have ratified the Stockholm Convention are on the map in Annex 1. All countries
in the world except the United States of America, Italy, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Irak and
South Sudan have ratified the Convention, hsl (See Figure K the Map of countries that are part of the Stock
holm Convention, Annex 1)
C) Endosulfan Ban
The endosulfan ban was formally decided following the 2011 Stockholm Convention’s conference that
was held in Geneva. The worldwide phasing out was adopted in October 2012.
The process had taken a long time (around 32 year), starting from Shree Padre’s article in 1979
and Sreemati Leelakumari’s court case almost twenty years later, to the involvement of activists, politi
cians, doctors, scientists, the media, THANAL, and finally the Reviewing Committee of the Stockholm
Convention.
In Kerala the ban was effective, the Munsiff court (municipal) guaranteed a ban in 2001,
which was later executed. As explained by Jayakumar C. from THANAL, the main argument of the
lawyers when the case went to court in Kerala is the article 21 of the Indian constitution, which guaran
tees a right to live. Finally, the court case ruled in their favour, and aerial spraying was stopped in 2003,
since they deemed that “human life is more important, than the possible monetary losses”, whether en
dosulfan was a POP (Persistent Organic Pollutant) or not.
Jayakumar C. then explained what the process was like for the global ban, during the conven
tion itself. In 2007, endosulfan was nominated by the European Union as a chemical which was to be
enlisted in the Annex A of the Stockholm Convention. The Review Committee was to meet in Geneva.
In 2008 the application was given, and by 2009 the chemical was meant to be enlisted in Annex A,
since it had a socio-economic impact. India filed an objection, whereas Switzerland filed support. In
2010, there was a Ban Endosulfan Campaign in India, and during the 5th Stockholm Convention meet
ing, (24th-29th April 2011) the situation changed. China and Israel, two countries which were previously
favourable to the use of endosulfan changed their mind. Jayakumar and Dr Asheel were also present
during the convention, and they opened their presentation by saying that there was a hunger strike in
Kerala to support the ban on endosulfan. Dr Acheel explained during his interview, that the then ruling
chief minister of Kerala V. S. Achuthanandan, supported the campaign to ban endosulfan. (SeeAnnex4 4)
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While the Stockholm Convention Conference was going on the social protest, and the hunger strike in
Kerala helped convey the seriousness of the issue to the world.
There was a mix of political interests, the industry’s pressures and social injustice. And after
much talk and negotiations, the Ban Endosulfan campaign was a success story; a global phasing out was
decided in 2011, but India was not inclined to ban in all its regions.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), a socialist political association, went to the
supreme court of India, demanding that endosulfan be banned all over India, since the substance was
being globally phased out. Dr. M. Asheel, whom I interviewed, was the doctor presenting the health
hazards for the DYFI, and he explained what happened in court. Evidence was presented by three
parties at the Supreme court; the government which said it was not sure of the effects, the industry,
with nine doctors testifying and the DYFI who had a lawyer and a doctor. It ended with each party
talking about what it had to lose: the government would lose around 811 million USD , the industry
around 1.6 billion USD, and for the DYFI, “lives”would be lost. The main argument of the DYFI was
that the Indian Constitution's 21st article guarantees to all citizens the “right to live”. Based on this, the
Supreme Court decided in favour of a national ban of endosulfan on 13th May 2011. Exports of existing
stocks were permitted, until the expiry date of the pesticide, which would be two years after that date.
So officially in India, from the 13th of May 2013, no more endosulfan could be produced, sold, used, or
exported.
During my interviews, it seemed clear that endosulfan was no longer produced on Kerala. But
to extend that certainty to the rest of India and the rest of the world would be difficult. I is, however,
safe to say that any present or future use would be clearly considered illegal.
X. Limitations of the research
In this research I have used the information that best reflected the events. I interviewed many of the
key actors in the endosulfan ban campaign, and have used official websites and well-known reference
books. However, it is has been difficult to verify the accuracy of all statements and comments.
It has also been difficult to obtain information from pro-endosulfan groups now since endosulfan is no
longer produced or used. However other chemicals still have strong supporters.
A) Misinformation linked to
the
endosulfan
ISSUE AND PESTICIDES
One interesting aspect of the endosulfan use in Kasargod is that it was extremely difficult to get accur-
ate information concerning this subject.
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Grace Kurian
B) Dichotomous views
On the internet, there were two distinct camps when it came to endosulfan:
• Some websites talked about the attributes of endosulfan that made it less persistent than many other
pesticides , and the fact that the media was hyping the whole issue, so that the new pesticides will
have to be bought from other countries. There were many writers on the web that defended the idea
that western countries wanted India to buy their new pesticides: endosulfan having been made off
patent recently and relatively easy to produce had encouraged India to produce this pesticides, which
meant western companies were losing their markets.
• Other websites were clear on the horrors that endosulfan caused in the population and emphasised
on genetic mutations which had happened by showing many shocking pictures
• Most websites clearly say that pesticides are necessary to humans, for an efficient way forward for
agriculture, and for controlling diseases.
The truth however, is hard to distinguish, are pesticides really the only way forward, do all countries
wanting to develop efficient agricultural ways have to use pesticides?
In India, there were also two types of responses:
• Some people, especially people who did gardening, or laymen were confident in the fact that endo
sulfan wasn’t a persistent chemical, and that the whole issue that has been going on is a scam, a hyped
up story among many others.
• Unlike the part of the population that is not really aware of the situation, many of the interviews I
carried actually explained the reality to me, and the state of things. Many were the crucial actors in
enabling the ban of endosulfan, and there knowledge and references were very useful.
• Serious toxicity of Endosulfan noted in the extreme example of aerial spraying in Kasargod need to be
taken into account. However, If greed and irresponsible behaviour is controlled effectively, it is not
sure if endosulfan can be used as a relatively safe agent ?
C) Lack of
interviews of the victims
All the information concerning the victims of endosulfan in Kasargod were given by the interviewed
people (doctors, social workers etc).
I did not do any personal interview with the victims for ethical reasons, namely the fact that I
would not be directly helping them in any way by writing about them. Furthermore the banning of en
dosulfan has been achieved, but the damage done to their lives is irreparable. I may also be insulting
their integrity, which would mean showing disrespect.
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Grace Kurian
XI. Solutions: Alternative methods
A) Alternatives for
endosulfan
There are different types of alternatives for endosulfan use. (Endosulfan Risk Management Evaluation
2012). U?]
1. Chemical alternatives
Alternative chemicals, which have milder side-effects than endosulfan, can be used for specific crops or
for a group of them. They can be more or less efficient depending on the region. The list of chemical
alternatives include Deltamethrin, Imidacloprid, Insecticidal soap/Pyrethrin and Malathion to name a
few. To answer the question of whether these alternatives are as efficient as endosulfan, a review of sci
entific literature (78 scientific papers) was carried out, and when 46 chemical alternatives were tested, in
152 cases, the alternatives were more efficient, in 18 equally efficient, 68 cases less efficient than endo
sulfan, 4 cases were inconclusive, 7 cases reported the development of resistance. Therefore, it is reas
onable to say that there is a higher probability that chemical alternatives are more efficient than endo
sulfan. hs]
2. Semiochemicals
Semiochemicalsh^ are substances that are used by organisms to send messages to each other, for ex
ample insects use them for mating. By using semiochemicals in agriculture, it would be possible to
monitor populations of pests, and alter their behaviour. A semiochemical that has been suggested is
pheromone, effective for example against pests in pear, apple, apricot or tomato crops, hs)
3. Bio-agriculture and biological systems
Organic farming is a form of agriculture that emphasises cultural knowledge and practices, and excludes
synthetic pesticides. Some techniques are crop rotation, that enables the regeneration of the earth,
green manure, like cattle excrements, mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and pest con
trol and biological pest-control systems. These includes the use of parasitic wasps, bacteria such as Ba
cillus thuringiensi for mustard, green gram and black gram crops, viruses such as Helicoverpanarmigera or
nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), or fungi Xfoe fungus Beauvaria bassiana used for Ragi {Eleusine coracana).
CEC Andre Chavanne
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These examples have been recommended for use in India, according to the government. Such alternat
ives would be a pseudo-natural way of growing plants, hs] However one needs to note that the alternat
ive systems mentioned are more difficult and often result in some increase in the cost of production.
Society needs to pay for safer practices to avoid future suffering.
4. Agro-ecological practices such as I PM (Integrated Pesticide Management)
I PM is a system by which the crops grow in a healthy way, with the least possible disruption to the
agro-ecosystems, which means the natural way in which the environment adapted to agriculture, and
therefore encouraging natural pest control. The method stipulates that first come non-chemical altern
atives, and then, if necessary, chemicals. They must target the pests as much as possible, with minimum
effects on humans, non-targeted organisms and the environment, but if all other pest-controlling agents
fail, then the use of pesticides is tolerated, b?]
5. Specific agricultural practices
Such practices are cultural ways in which pests can be controlled. These include techniques used in Or
ganic Farming and IPM, but can be used in any type of farming. For example there is the selection of a
certain variety of the crop, pest-free plants, selection of an appropriate time to plant, crop rotation, or
planting of flowers like marigold or sunflower to attract certain beneficial insects. There is also the use
of botanical insecticides etc.h?!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
&
Leading organic food
producers in India
Sresta Natural Bioproducts.
Oraanic India, Morarka Organic.
Nature Bio Foods. Sunstar
Overseas, Kashmir Apiaries
?839crore
Organic food
exports
from India in 2011
J
570,000
•1
./
Number of organic
\ food farmers in
India
$60
100 crore
Size of the Indian
organic food market
1 million hectares
'
Total area under organic
crop cultivation in India.
with about 50%
1
under food
J
ir
billion
Global
organic
food
market
Note: 1 crore of Indian rupees
(INR) is equal to io ooo ooo
INR, which is approximately
equal to 160 ooo USD.
* •,
235
Total number
of organic food
exporters in
India
Figure 7: The Indian Organic market is growing, and people seem to be able to purchase better
quality food as their income goes up.
source: http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/organic-food-fast^catching-on-with-the-indian-consumer/i/i9i942.html; 05.11.13; 19:00
CEC Andre Chavanne
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B)
Grace Kurian
2013-2014
The
challenges
FRIENDLY AGRICULTURE
T O
ENVIRONMENTALLY
Agriculture is both important for the food it produces and for the income of those producing the food.
The 21st century’s growing population needs adequate food supply and it is thought that conventional
farming, which encourages pesticide use, can provide it. But in today’s world, there are around one bil
lion people suffering from chronic starvation and another one billion which is malnourished. Hence,
the relevance of such farming is questionable. Thus increased productivity in the supply is not enough
for curbing the problems related to food security, and this is a flaw in modern agriculture Thus agricul
ture has become more of an industry, where profit, or wealth, is the prime driver of this industry.
There is a strong body of evidence that states that organic farming is better for the health of
human beings and the environment. But only 0.9% of the world’s agricultural land is organically farmed
(37,2 million hectares
However, many studies have shown that organic farming is, in reality, overall
more profitable for society. On the long term, the yield is higher in organic farms than in non-organic
farms, and that the production cost is lower, as it is less dependent on the chemical industry.
However there are many factors that make it difficult to practice organic farming.
• The national or regional agricultural programmes support large-scale agriculture. This means that the
government highly subsidises pesticides and conventional farming.
• There is more access to information on conventional farming, since extensive research has been con
ducted for pesticides or high-yielding grain. On the other hand, it is difficult to access, since organic
research is still in its infancy. Knowledge on the subject is more difficult to obtain and ascertain.
• The comparative studies between organic and non-organic farming only consider the economic as
pect. Other effects such as the cost of environmental, social and health impacts have not been
broadly overlooked. These are extremely important, as they have delayed impact and indirectly affect
farm economics.
In India, Jayakumar from THANAL explained that organic farming is more difficult precisely
because of the government’s subsides for pesticide use. Although the farmer may find it cheaper to use
pesticides, it ultimately is more expensive.
uThe world needs a paradigm shift in agricultural development: from a “green revolution^ to an “ecolog
ical intensification^ approach. This implies a rapid and significant shift from conventional monoculture
based and high-external-input-dependent insustrial production towards a mosaics of sustainable, regenrative production system that also considerably improve the productivity of small-scale farmers.
Part of the “Key Message” of the Trade and Environment Review 2013 by the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development) :Wake Up Before It Is Too Late, Make agriculture truly sustainable now for food security in a changing climate.
Any change in the system requires political will, and unless people decide that it is nec
essary it is difficult to enforce.
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XII. Conclusion
A) General Conclusions
To conclude the issue, endosulfan is being phased out globally, and is therefore history
a) Endosulfan is an organochlorine pesticide that was used widely at a global level.
b) It was applied by areal spraying in Kasargod against the tea mosquitoes that destroyed cashew
crops, leading to severe environmental hazards, as well as toxicity in human beings.
c) In human beings, it has been shown to have affected the central nervous, endocrine, and re
productive systems, and has mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects.
To answer the question on why it was used, we have several points:
a) It was used because production was fairly easy, cheap and it was deemed effective against the
tea mosquito despite the fact that no proper study had been conducted on the necessity of us
ing a pesticide.
b) The environmental risks and hazards were not properly evaluated.
c) The basic human rights of poor farmers and other local population was ignored
d) Health surveillance of emerging problems of the local population was not effective, the author
ities took very long to notice and condemn the misuse of such a dangerous chemical.
It should be noted that since pesticides are subsidised from the government, the industry could have
seen some benefit from the use of endosulfan.
a) Finally, after irresponsible spraying for a quarter of a century, Sreemati Leelakumari, a cour
ageous citizen, took the matter into her hands and spurred a whole movement. Subsequent
media coverage fairly complicated the story, causing misunderstanding among Indians them
selves.
b) Health problems created by endosulfan were the main cause of controversy, because the tox
icity of endosulfan appeared questionable for a very long time. We can see however that we
have the tools to understand the problems and that it is possible to prove causality.
c) The ban was made possible thanks to a social campaign that mobilised Kerala and extended to
the rest of India. Global initiatives and conventions played a crucial role in this. The interna
tional ban was the solid basis on which the final national ban was enforced in India, consider
ing that this country is the largest producer of the chemical. These,however, are not binding
laws, and have to be monitored and enforced by the government, so as to maintain the change
they created.
d) In short, the reasons for using such a toxic pesticide for so long can probably be due to three
reasons: inappropriate application of agricultural policy, irresponsibility and greed. Policy
changed when people started indiscriminately using pesticides in the context of the Green Re-
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volution. Irresponsibility was the reason that explains why no safety regulations were used for
over twenty-five years. Greed came into play when there were monetary advantages in using
endosulfan. I hope that such a disastrous chemical contamination will remain an isolated epis
ode in History. Nevertheless, if pesticides continue to be used freely in agriculture as “medi
cine”, how can we expect our food which is one of our most vital needs to be “safe”? Here
comes the role of alternative agriculture, which despite its imperfections, is a viable option.
e) Change is possible, it is indeed slow and costly, but nevertheless possible, and this is what takes
humanity forward.
0 Societal Awareness has to be increased regarding the fact that these is always a present cost to
maintaining future health.
B) Personal Views
Much of the information I obtained during my research was completely new to me, and I discovered an
area that was extremely compelling. Environmental Health has increasing importance in our modern
era, and I feel that it was a privilege for me to study such a problem firsthand. The events in Kasargod
really shocked me and Master Rahman’s documentary was quite difficult for me to watch. The suffering
is only too visible, and the fact that such atrocities took take place really shocks me. I discovered cer
tain truths about human nature like greed and irresponsibility, but I also recognised and appreciated
virtues such as courage and perseverance. On a more concrete level, understood the widespread usage
of pesticides, which is both good to know but also quite scary. In parallel, I discovered the methods of
alternative agriculture, that again completely baffled me in my perception of food production and gave
me newfound hope in human innovation. I now wonder why these have not been further discussed in
the wider society and do not constitute common knowledge, could it be because of the petro-chemical
industries and their lobbying against organic food? Agriculture really need to have a paradigm shift.
The staggering complexity of the issue is what attracted me to this topic. I am quite glad I
could make links between the economics, the politics, the legislation but also the humanitarian aspects
of the endosulfan case in Kasargod. I think many of the realities in today’s world require such a broad
outlook on society and here again I found this to be a great learning experience.
I am also in awe of the many people I met and interviewed during my field visit. I especially
admire Leelakumariamma, who is according to me a true example of bravery and an iconic figure in the
ban in endosulfan. I think that if more women stood up against injustices in society, the world would
certainly be a better place. I also was inspired by Dr. M. Asheel, whose dynamism and knowledge was
quite impressive.
Finally I would like to add that I was happy to study a subject closely linked to my country of
origin: India, and use my mothertongue- Malayalam which is the main language used in the region.
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Grace Kurian
XIII: Acknowledgments
This work is dedicated to the brave people of Kasergod. I am deeply indebted to many who whole -
heartedly gave me their time and attention to assist me in my Travail de Maturite.
First and foremost, I would like to thank M. Dufour, my Professor in Biology, who guided me in my
Travail de Maturite.
I would like to thank Dr Ravi Narayan, the renowned Public Health expert and the Community
Health Advisor of the Society for Community Health Awareness, Research and Action, (SO CHARA) Ban
galore, India, without whom I could not have had such a fruitful field visit in Kasargod. It was he who
put me in contact with Dr. Pradyumna in SOCHARA and THANAL. I am grateful to Dr. Pradyumna
for assisting me to gain an overview of Environmental Health in India. I am also indebted to Jayakumar,
and Usha from THANAL, who spent a whole afternoon explaining to me the state of affairs concerning
endosulfan, and who gave me important references, and key contacts in the Kasargod district. It was a
pleasure to meet people who were so engaged in the cultural and environmental heritage of India, and I
salute their work. I would like to express my deep appreciations to Sreemati Leelakumariamma, who
welcomed me to her home and recounted her amazing story. The scientific part of my Travail de Matur
ite would not have been possible if not for my interview with the brilliant Dr. M. Asheel, who presented
clear scientific proof against the use of endosulfan, and kindly gave me a copy of his presentation. I also
would like to thank K M Gopakumar, the lawyer of Third World Network who enabled me to contact
Prof. Rahman and Prof. Valsan. Their dedication and enthusiasm were contagious. I would like to thank
them for having explained the context of Kasargod. Furthermore I sincerely thank Dr. Mohankumar,
whom I greatly admire for his dedicated work in the rural clinics of the affected regions.
My work would not be the same without the guidance and suggestions of Dr. Madhavram Balakrishnan, of the World Health Organisation, who first introduced me to the topic and later reviewed
my work. I also thank my Uncle, Prof. Dr. Kurien Thomas, the eminent epidemiologist, scientist and
physician, whose comments, guidance and reviewing encouraged me in this project.
I also would like to thank Mrs Khatchatourov and Mrs Broda, my esteemed English teachers, who also
reviewed and corrected my Travail de Maturite.
Last but not the least, I thank my family, who supported me throughout the work: my parents
who accompanied me to Kasargod, and have always helped me face my challenges, and my brother, who
bore with my continuous preoccupation with my Travail de Maturite all through the summer holidays in
India. I would also like to mention my grandparents, who encouraged me throughout the process, and
made me believe in myself.
CEC Andre Chavanne
Page 40 of 60
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Grace Kurian
XIV Bibliography
http://library.thinkquest.0rg/06aug/00027/
12.
id14.htm; 29.10.13; 23:00
2.
http://www.ehib.org/faq.jsp?faq_key=42; 28.10.13;
01:41
3-
http://www.who.int/topics/pesticides/en/,
11/22/2012, 22:28
4-
<http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/PI/PI08300.pdf,
18/03/2012, 06:47)
5-
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/815051overview, 18/03/2013, 06:48)
6.
6a: Essentials of Environmental Health (Essen
tial Public Health), by Robert H Friis, Series
Editor: Richard Riegelman, Jones and Bartlett
Publishers, 2007; 6b: http://www.herbiguide.com.au/labels/edos35o_32799-o6o6.pdf- 04.11.13;
13. UNEP. 2002b. Regionally Based Assessment f Per
sistent Toxic substance. Pacific Islands Regional
Report United nations environmental Programme.
14. UNEP. 2002a. Regionally Based Assessment f Per
sistent Toxic substance. Sout-East Asian And South
Pacific Regional Report United nations environ
mental programme.
15.
Brophy JT, Keith MM, Gorey KM, Laukkaanen E,
Hellyer D, Watterson A, Reinhartz A, Gilberston M.
2002. Occuupational histories of cancer patients in
Canadian cancer treatment center and generated hy
pothesis regarding breast cancer and farming. Int
Occup Environ Health 8(4):346"53
16.
Pesticide and Breast Cancer A Wake Up Call, by Mer
iel Watts, PhD, Pesticide Action Network Jutaprint,
July 2007, p.61-62
17.
PAN Int.2007. Endosulfan- A Persistent Organic Pol
lutant, State,emt of Concerns. Pesticide Action Net
work International
18.
Cerillo I, Granada A, Lopez-Espinosa M, Olmos B,
Jimenez M. Cano A, Olea NF, Olea-Serrano M, 2005.
Endosulfan and its metabolitesin fertile women, pla
centa, cord blood, and human milk, EnvironRes 98(2):
223-9
2337
7-
Report of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Re
view Committee on the work of its sixth meet
ing; Risk management evaluation on endosulfan,
At its sixth meeting, the Persistent Organic Pol
lutants Review Committee adopted a risk man
agement evaluation on endosulfan on the basis
of the draft contained in document UNEP/
POPS/POPRC.6/9) (http://chm.pops.int/
TheConvention/ThePOPs/TheNewPOPs/tabid/
2511/Default.aspx; 23:10.13; 11:00)
8.
(http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp41.pdf;
05.05.2013; 23:34)
9-
(http://greencleanguide.com/2011/08/07/thestory-of-endosulfan-in-india/; 20.10.13; 22:16)
10. The WHO recommended classification of
Pesticide by Hazard, and Guidelines to classific
ation 2009, International Programme on Chem
ical Safety (IPCS), (http://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/pesticides_hazard/en/ ; 23.10.2013;
11:06)
11.
State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chem
icals, WHO, 2012 (http://www.who.int/ceh/publications/endocrine/en/; 23.10.12: 11:32) presented in Dr.
Asheel’s sources)
CEC Andre Chavanne
UNEP. 2002a. Regionally Based Assessment f Persist
ent Toxic substance. Indian Ocean Regional Report
United nations environmental Programme.
19. Pesticide and Breast Cancer A Wake Up Call, by Mer
iel Watts, PhD, Pesticide Antion Network, Jutaprint,
July 2007, p.61-62
20. Sanghi R, Pilai MK, Jayalekshmi TR, Nair A, 2003.
Organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide
residue in breast milk from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh,
India, Hum Exp Toxicil 22(s):73-6
21.
UNEP/FAO. 2007. Inclusion of the chemical endo
sulfan in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention.
United Nations Environment Programme and Food
and Agriculture Organisation UNEP/FAO/RC/COP.
4/9. http:// www.pic.int/COPS/COP4/i9)/English/
Ko76333i%2oCOP-4-9.pdf.
22.
Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP),
Endosulfan monograph, 2009 2nd edition, Prepared
by Meriel Watts PhD,
for Pesticide Action Network Asia & Pacific 2nd Edi
tion, April 2009
Page 41 of 60
Travail de Maturite
23.
2013-2014
Pesticide and Breast Cancer A Wake Up Call, by Meriel
Watts, PhD, Pesticide Action Network, Jutaprint, July
2007; p.32-35; p-79
38.
24. All the references are in Pesticide and Breast Cancer A
Wake Up Call, by Meriel Watts, PhD, Pesticide Action
Network Jutaprint, July, 2007
25.
Pesticide and Breast Cancer A Wake Up Call, by Meriel
Watts, PhD, Pesticide Action Network Jutaprint, July,
2007, p.n-12
26. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/aspermatogenesis; 21.10.13; 16:22
27.
Source: Dr Asheels’s telephone
Grace Kurian
NIOH. 2003. Final Report of the Investigation of
Unusual Illnesses Allegedly Produced by Endosulfan
Exposure In Padre Village of Kasargod District (N
Kerala). National Institute of Occupational Health,
Indian Council for Medical Research, Ahmedabad.,
present in Dr. Asheel’s sources
39. Scremin, Oscar U Chialvo, Dante R Lavarello, Simona
Berra, Hector H Lucero, Miguel A, The environment
al pollutant endosulfan disrupts cerebral cortical
function at low doses. Neurotoxicology. 2011 Jan;32(i):
31-7. Epub 2010 Dec 7.), (source: Dr. Asheel’s present
ation on endosulfan)
40. Endsulfan: the Kerala Story, http://www.cseindia.org/
userfiles/endosulfan_kerala_story.pdf; 28.10.13; 02:00,
28. Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PANAP),
Endosulfan monograph, 2009 2nd edition, Prepared
by Meriel Watts PhD,
for Pesticide Action Network Asia & Pacific 2nd Edi
tion, April 2009
41. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/429658_4,
26.06.13, 09:44
29. p.61-62 Pesticide and Breast Cancer A Wake Up Call,
by Meriel Watts, PhD, Pesticide Antion Network,
Jutaprint, July 2007, PAN document on endosulfan
43. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures; 23.10.13; 20:18)
30. Article of Down To Earth Magazine, 28 Feb 2001,
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/archives/2ooi;
23.10.13; 19:12
31.
32-
33-
WHO website; http://www.who.int/topics/epidemiology/en/ (18:15, 6.10.13)
p.63 Pesticide and Breast Cancer A Wake Up Call, by
Meriel Watts, PhD, Pesticide Action Network, Jutaprint, July 2007)
Information from Dr. Asheel’s sources and interview
34. Report of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review
Committee on the work of its fifth meeting, Ad
dendum, Risk profile on endosulfan, UNEP/POPS/
POPRC.5/io/Add.2, http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/ListingofPOPs/tabid/2509/Default.aspx ;
23.10.13; 19:45
35.
Report of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review
Committee on the work of its sixth meeting, Ad
dendum, Risk management evaluation on endosulfan,
UNEP/POPS/POPRC.6/i3/Add.i; http://chmpops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/ListingofPOPs/
tabid/2509/Default.aspx; 23.10.13; 19:54
36. http://www.kerala.cc/keralahistory/index14.htm;
06.11.13; 08:05
37.
42. http://www.freedoniagroup.com/DocumentDetails.aspx?StudyId=29O2, 26.06.13,10:05
44. p. 368-372, Environmental Economics by Charles D.
Kolstad, Second Ed., Oxford University Press
45. http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/
en/PesticidesHealth2.pdf; 06.11.13; 08:16
46. Lecture of Humanitarian Law: Cours de Mme Pelligrini,
Proffesseur de Droit, College Rousseau(Mrs. Pelligrini, Law
teacher in College Rousseau
47. http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/Overview/TextoftheConvention/tabid/2232/Default.aspx ; 9.10.13;
17:20
48. http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/ListingofPOPs/tabid/2509/Default.aspx; 9.10.13; 17:38
49. http://greencleanguide.com/2o11/o8/o7/the-story-ofendosulfan-in-india/; 20.10.13; 23:06; Interview with
Jayakmuar C. of THANAL; Interview with Dr M.
Asheel)
50.
http://www.organic-world.net/yearbook-2o11-key-results.html; 06.11.13; 08:43
51.
http://www.srfood.org/en/wake-up-before-it-is-toolate-report-on-sustainable-agriculture-for-unctad :
UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development):Wake Up Before It Is Too Late, Make
agriculture truly sustainable now for food security in a
changing climate
https://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/dr_norman_e_borlaug/fulLbiography/; 05.11.2013; 02:58
CEC Andre Chavanne
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Annex 1: Figures, Tables and Maps
1.Figure A: List of pesticide functions and examples of their
targets
<http://cdis.ifas.ufl.ed11/pdffiies/p1/pi08300.pdfj 18/03/2012, 06:47)
2.
Pesticide class
Primary target/action
Example(s)
Acaricide
Mites
Aldicarb. Bifenazate
Algaecide
Algae__________________
Copper sulfate
Attractant
Attracts wide range of pests
Pheromones
Avicide
Birds
Avitrol (aminopyridine)
Bactericide
Bacteria
Bait
Wide range of organisms
Copper complexes
streptomycin____________
Anticoagulants___________
Biopesticide
Wide range of organisms
Bacillus thuringiensis_____
Defoliant
Removes p:ant foliage
Tribufos________________
Desiccant
Removes water________
Boric acid_______________
Fumigant
Wide range of organisms
Aluminum phosphide_____
Fungicide
Fungi________________
Azoxystrobin. chlorothalonil
Herbicide
Insect growth
regulator
Weeds_______________
Insects
Atrazine, glyphosate. 2 4-D
Diflubenzuron
Insecticide
Insects
Aldicarb, Carbaryl,
imidacloprid
Molluscicides
Snails, slugs_________
Meta dehyde________
Nematicide
Nematodes__________
Aldicarb, fenamiphos
Piscicide
Plant growth
regulator
Fish________________
Rotenone__________
Regulates plant growth
Gibberellic acid. 2.4-D
Predacide
Mammal predators
Strychnine
Repellent
Vertebrates and
invertebrates
DEBT, methiocarb
Rodenticide
Rodents_________
Warfarin
Silvicide
Trees
Tebuthiuron
Termiticide
Kills termites
Fipronil
CEC Andre Chavanne
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2013-2014
1.Figures B: Chemical Identity and Presentation of endosulfan
2.
source: Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Commit
tee Sixth meeting, Geneva, 11-15 October 2010, p.5
Molecular formula
CjHeClaOjS
C9H6C16O4S
Molecular mass
406.96 g mol1
422.96 g-mof
Structural formulas of
the isomers and the
main transformation
product
a.
a
\ .0
O'.
k
Cl
u-endosulfan
p-endosulfan endosulfan sulphate
1. Figures C: Chemical Identity and Presentation of endosulfan
2.
source: Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Commit
tee Sixth meeting, Geneva, 11-15 October 2010, p.5
Common name
Endosulfan
IL'PAC Chcm.
Abstracts
6,7,8,9,1 OJO-hcxachloro-i,5,5a,6r9.9a-hcxahydro~6,9 methano 2,4.3-bcnzodioxathicpin-3oxide
6,9 methano-2,4,3-bcnzodioxathicpin-6,7,8.9,10,10 hcxachloro l,5,5a,6,9,9-hcxahydro-3-oxide
CAS registry numbers
1 radc name
CEC Andre Chavanne
alpha (a) endosulfan
959-98-8
beta (P) endosulfan
33213-65 9
technical endosulfan
115 29-7
endosulfan sulfate: • stercochcmically unspecified
1031-07-8
1 hiodanK, Thioncx, Endosan. Farmoz, Endosulfan. Callisulfan
Page 44 of 60
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Grace Kurian
1. Figures D: Pests targeted by the endosulfan pesticide
2. http;//chm.pops,int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/ListingQfPQPs/tabid/25Q9/D'
fault.aspx
Crop
Post
Apple
Aphids
Arhar, gram
Aphids, caterpillars, pea semilooper,
pod borer
Bean, cowpea
Aphids, leaf miner, whiteflies
Chilli, onion, potato
Aphids, jassids
Coffee
Berry borer, stem borers
Cotton
Aphids, cotton bollworm, jassids,
leaf rollers, pink bollworm, thrips,
whiteflies
Eggplant, okra
Aphids, diamondback moth, jassids,
shoot and fruit borer
Groundnut
Aphids
Jute
Bihar hairy caterpillar, yellow mite
Maize
Aphids, pink borer, stem borers
Mango
Fruit flies, hoppers
Mustard
Aphids, gall midges
Rice
Gall midges, rice hispa, stem borers,
white jassid
Tea
Aphids, caterpillars, flushworm,
mealybugs, scale insects, smaller
green leafhopper, tea geometrid, tea
mosquito bug, thrips
Tobacco
Aphids, oriental tobacco budworm
Tomato
Aphids, diamondback moth, jassids,
leaf miner, shoot and fruit borer,
whiteflies
Wheat
Aphids, pink borer, termites
CEC Andre Chavanne
Page 45 of 60
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Grace Kurian
1.Figures E, F, G and H International POPs Eliminaton Network map of endosulfan use
in, 2001, before Indian ban
2. source: http://ipen.org/cop5/wp-content/uploads/2on/o4/World-Endosulfan-map.pdf ; 06.11.13; 09:07; and in
THANAL presentation of the ban endosulfan cmapain, written by Jayakumar C.
Global Phase Out of Endosulfan in Sight - Annex A for Endosulfan
LEGEND
Banned or Phasing Out
Not Permitted, But Not Banned
f~~ -Lega 'y Using with No Phase-Out
iNlIt* ADOteAl ION
tiiMHaAHOik tettwoaa
Not Us ng or Unknown Status
CEC Andre Chavanne
Page 46 of 60
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Grace Kurian
2013-2014
ahkh arr In, harardmii owparni I
rndaialfaB."
MMvltar ».or>>»*ion to RotterOar-. Co
* ’
a»
/
Australia
"| I b> | paiiiliilHi ul radiMllnt dHiaplinx rllrrl al indviallau idnrrird
10 Ibr ilad> bai arral rrlriaorr Io Ibr brallb ol Ibr lutiui grar
rarralBHit
< uaiidriiat Ibr poIrbliaUli ol grai c looirsuiorri. ibr Pria<l|
ipk 15
ol Ibr KOI - llrrbiralina ol Ibr I arlb SanimH ihoald hr fcilbim
>rd."
"I adniallao l« likrh. brraurr of it» pnlrnlial for
■df-iiir mo'rmrnl bprai drin and run-off). Io Irad
Io cigallkaal adrmr rbreak anil •ah rbioak
iniirimnirnial rllrrl "
Nainxiai Im Muir of Otcupabonal Hr.irth (kaban Couocn ol Medical Re^HfcM
Tho lrii>eil<9a1'0n ol Unmual lanesne^ Alieqr-tHy Procured by bnooiMtvi
E■posc.-o.- PaC’o VAapa o' Kawrapod Diilnc IN Kamla;_______________
"I hr hith lr«rl af
r<fnt< irnLo Md rml«) l<> fhr rmiranmrM.
ham» IwaWh. thr rrU<tn««liip of Maori la Ibr m<iroamrnt and Xra
Zralanil'i ialrraalhmal n-lalinaaMp* aalnri(h Ml paobiir rrtertv"
N»-* Zo* ond »
-onmo^U Ri»« K'anojo-^cri Aulfionty
M.
Tbr rrrolatioa'i main obj«ti>< l» la proltcl baman brallb.
animal aad tm imnamilal cameo alien, labia* Into acceaal
Ibat IrndmalfM) i> a bigblr tabic inrrctiddr
EsMdau Arvsa Ayi’Kia Nadonai de Vigilbnaa
Sanu-A Bcw-l___________________________
; A-
S’ IK
*
CEO Andre Chavanne
Page 47 of 60
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2013-2014
iase Out of Endosulfan in Sight
United
States
KTN
■ I Ik ■«!>•■*iHatlht It MKHlt » ■ KliKk an tvw
Ivi all (Mt vl indiMnlfM and dv md eltsrd lias tsska “
•
-trkMaiMKlsMM lb-1 smlnMtlfaiiltmra.
tHkn 1» Ngihvhtatdi MML.tn ami wiMItl. a
rptabh
I
IO* N
Ige rIa
I. i b y >
2^
b y a
"t.'admalfaa i« very1 teak
leak lo
Io •quale
a<
hft >n<i due l» Nt
prcttute (a tte< catifunmeni
(lunmrai it
i> hut rh< potential tn
tvulnaunnlt nnlcr tuurtit and Iht rutuuauttnl.
... I heir art many cetl-clleeiit r allrrnallte laH-rlkidt t
ehtrh are lett harurdout tomparrd tu
Saudi C*
Arabia
ety p1
rieloMtltan."
•■'.alavs a' subc’ »Mon 10 Rotteroar' Convent co SeoreM'iot
bad
Sudan
Ethiopia
CEC Andre Chavanne
Karnataka
(India)
Kerala
(India)
Page 48 of 60
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Grace Kurian
2013-2014
1.Figure I: Estimated costs for replacing endosulfan
2.
source: p.5, Report of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee on the work of its sixth meeting, Ad
dendum, Risk management evaluation on endosulfan, UNEP/POPS/POPRC.6/i3/Add.i; http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/ListingofPOPs/tabid/2509/Default.aspx; 23.10.13; 19:54
3.
Chemical alternatives
Cost impact factor Expected impact
Ywlds
Pnces
Production costs
Remain stable
Remain stable
Plant protection cost increase by 0 to 40%
Expected costs if endosulfan would be
replaced by chemical alternatives
Annual coat wilt increase between 0 and $40
million US
Brazil: 0 to $13.87 million US
India: 0 to $9.63 nulhor. US
China: 0 to $7.89 million US
Argentina: 0 to $2.89 million US
USA: 0 to $2.78 million US
oi the world. 0 to $9.28 million US
Non-chcmical alternatives
Cost impact factor
Expected impact
Yields
Slight decrease to slight increase
Pnces
In organic production significant price premiums
Significant change of plant production costs
possible.
Production costs
Expected costs if endosulfan would be
replaced by non-chcmical alternatives
Significant nor.-quar.tificd annual economic
benefit
i.Figure J: List of Persistent Organic Pollutants which are destined to be eliminated
2.source: http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/ListingofPOPs/tabid/25o9/Default.aspx ;
9.10.13; 17:38)
Annex A (Elimination)
Parties must take measures to eliminate the production and use of the chemicals listed under Annex A. Specific exemptions for use
or production are listed in the Annex and apply only to Parties that register for them.
■-
Aldrin
Chlordane
Chlordecone
Dieldrin w
Endrin
Heptachlor •
Hexabrom obiphenyl
Hexabromodiphenyl ether and
heptabromodiphenyl ether
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane
Beta hexachlorocyclohexane
Lindane
Mirex
Pe ntac hlorobe rue ne
Technical endosulfan and Its related
Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and
isomers •
penta brom odlpheny I ether
CEC Andre Chavanne
Polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCB)
Toxaphene **
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i. Figure K: Countries that are part of the Stockholm convention
source: http://chm.pops.int/Countries/StatusofRatifications/tabid/252/Default.aspx; 9.10.13; 17:38)
tool by ammap com
Party
CEC Andre Chavanne
Not a party
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Grace Kurian
Annex 2: Definitions
• breast milk: milk produced by women after childbirth, produced newly everyday thanks to pro
lactin, a hormone. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and lactogen enable the
formation of milk, (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002451.htm ; 20.10.13; 00:46)
• adipose tissue: tissue containing fat cells, or adipose cells, which specialise in synthesising and con
tain fat globules. The tissue is found under skin, between muscles, in the intestines, around the heart,
among other places. The fat stored in this tissue comes either from ingested materiel or is synthesised
in the body. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/5948/adipose-tissue; 20.10.13; 01:10)
• placental tissue: tissue situated in the placenta, the organ which forms the lining of the uterus,
when the uterine unifies with the membranes of the foetus. It provides nourishment for the foetus
and eliminates its waste, (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/placenta; 20.10.13; 1:30)
• umbilical cord blood: it is the blood left in the placenta and umbilical cord after the baby is born
(http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/umbilical-cord-blood.aspx; 20.10.13; 01:37)
• cerebral palsy: this disorder concerns movement, muscle tone or posture, and it is caused by the
damage to the immature or developing brain, often before the birth of the child (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cerebral-palsy/DSoo3O2; 2i.io.i3;i2:i3)
• retardation of mental or physical growth: problems that hold back the physical or mental devel
opment of a person (Apple dictionary)
• epilepsy: epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system in which nerve cell or neurone activity
is disturbed resulting in seizure which is a state in which a person experiences abnormal behaviour
which can vary : staring blankly for a few seconds, twitching or convulsions, loss of consciousness etc.
(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/epilepsy/DSoo342; 21.10.13; 12:29)
• skeletal limb abnormalities: problems in the bone structure of arms and legs, usually happening in
utero. It can disturb normal growth.
http:/Avww.healthline.com/health/skeletal-limb-abnormalities?toptoctest=expand; 21.10.13; 12:29)
CEC Andre Chavanne
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Annex 3: Interviews
Tuesday 9th July 2013
Jayakumar C., zoologist, one of the founders of THANAL (Conservation, Action and Informa
tion Network), activist
Hopeful to get more information in India, I went to the THANAL office. In the beautifully situated
office of THANAL, in Jawahar Nager, Kowdiar, Trivandrum, we first started talking about agriculture in
general, and Mr. Jayakumar explained that the government encouraged the use of chemicals, as many of
these substances were subsidised goods, (see Chapter 9 on alternatives)
THANAL as an NGO got involved in the endosulfan issue when Sreemati Leelakumari asked for
help. They went to the region and created a type of social interaction in the community Since the start
of the aerial spraying by the Plantation Corporation Kerala, people had started noticing that snakes,
jackals and birds were dying. This wasn’t a problem until cows and goats began dying as well- at this
point there had been a petition in 1979 and an official complaint. Unfortunately, they found it im
possible to defend this complaint, and it was termed an allegation. Cashew was a cash crop and the
spraying was taking place about thrice every year. When Sreemati Leelakumari moved into the region,
she decided to take legal redressal measures.
One reason why the substance was affecting people so much is probably because in the 1960s
there had been land reforms in Kerala, when a communist party came officially to power through a
democratic election. It remained in power for a few years only, but it was enough for the feudal system
in Kerala to be completely changed. Each person cultivated his or her own land. Furthermore, it can be
said that due to the fertility of the land, people were attracted to Kerala, and it is indeed one of the
most densely populated regions in India.
In 1979, a journalist and farmer, Shree Padre, wrote for the first time about the problem in his
article “Life is cheaper than cashew”. A deformed cow had been born in his village in Kaserged. Hu
mans too were inevitably affected. The farmers themselves used to initially stand on the border of the
plots, to show where the helicopters should spray the chemical. Thus being fully exposed to the chem
ical. In 1991, the government of the Philippines asked for a global ban. But to no avail
In 1997, Dr. Mohan Kumar wrote about the situation in Kasargod where all the families living
around a particular stream were having handicapped children. Endosulfan would later be proved to be a
neurotoxine and a genotoxine. In 2000, a person from Pesticide Action Network Asia-Pacific came to
investigate on the problem and concluded that it was indeed endosulfan that was causing the problems.
It was then described how endosulfan isomers Q- and p-endosulfan break down into endosulfan sulph
ate when heated, which is a substance which is persistent in soil, water, air and fat. Its half-life is around
800 days. In 2002, the state of Kerala also demanded a global ban.
When the case went to court in Kerala in 1998, the main argument of the lawyers is the article 21
of the Indian constitution, which guarantees a right to live. Finally, the court case ruled in their favour,
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and aerial spraying was stopped in 2003, since they deemed that “human life is more important than the
possible monetary losses”, whether endosulfan was a POP (Persistent Organic Pollutant) or not. Sub
sequent international concern for endosulfan use was raised, and the Stockholm Convention investig
ated the question, (see Chapter VIII. The Legislation linked to endosulfan, and pesticide use, section
B)International Environmental Law- Stockholm Convention).
The issue was that endosulfan had a socio-economic impact, and that a global ban would stop the
bio-accumulative and the long-range transport of the molecule (called the grasshopper effect: endo
sulfan can be carried through the air, so much so that breast milk samples in Denmark and Finland had
clear traces of endosulfan).
An intriguing criticism was made by Jayakumar: it seems that healthcare that is administered in
the world is 93% palliative, and 7% preventive. In medical schools for example, very little is taught
about such extensive toxicological aspects.
Another shocking fact that was mentioned during the interview was that Israel had published a
study back in 1979, which said that endosulfan could cause brain damage, but hadn’t come to global at
tention. This was a few years after endosulfan was introduced in Kerala. Around 9000 to 10000 people
suffered direct health problems in Kasargod according to Jayakumar, who worked in Kasargod itself to
prove the link between the pesticide and the effects observed.
After the ban of pesticides in India, many of the alternatives that have been suggested are biolo
gical, and this is a milestone for agro-ecology.
Jayakumar and his wife Usha are both founders ofTHANAL, and
they have dedicated their lives to the safeguard of the environment.
Saturday 13th July 2013
Sreemati Leelakumariamma, agricultural specialist
"What has been done to the land and to the people causes me much pain" said Agricultural officer
Sreemati Leelakumari who worked for the Plantation Corporation of Kerala for many years, and dis
tributed endosulfan as part of her job. "I would tell the farmers to be very careful with it, as a pesticide
was actually poison (vesham), not to be considered as medicine (marunne)." she says of the toxic sub
stance. Even worse were the aerial sprays. After buying the land on which her house was built, close to
cashew crops in Kasargod, her husband, children and she moved into a barren land. " The aerial spray
ing would take place three times a year and the helicopters would fly over the entire countryside "There
were no wild boars, no frogs and no fish in the river." A year went by and she noticed that her son was
getting skin problems, and that he was having trouble breathing. She also realised that the local people
were facing increasing health problems, as well as fewer fish to eat. As a mother, a citizen and a human
being, she felt responsible; she had studied about pesticides in university and knew the health problems
had something to do with them. She filed a case in 1997, literally taking the company that employed her
to court. "Everyone was against it, the people, my husband (who also worked for KPC) and the police
men." She triggered a social movement that would change the international classification of endosulfan.
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Thanks to her, endosulfan was first banned in Kerala in 2001, and with the help of THANAL, an NGO
that fought for the ban till the end, an international ban was issued in October 2012 and in India this
was valid from May 2013 onwards.
Sreemati Leelakumari received many awards and books have been written describing her key role.
Saturday lyth July 201^
Dr. Mohamed Asheel, MBBS, MPH, MDP Asst. Nodal Officer Rehabilitation of Endosulfan
Victims Govt, of Kerala
As we reached the hospital of Kahnagad, a city in Kasargod, around midday, and we had a much awaited
interview with the doctor who had convinced the international panel of the Stockholm Convention of
the dangers of endosulfan use. Dr Asheel is a young doctor who recently completed his Master’s Degree
in Public Health. He literally risked his life whilst campaigning for the ban of endosulfan, standing up
against pesticide companies and going to court as a doctor backed only by scientific evidence. He
kindly gave me the text of his presentation and I wrote the “Epidemiology “ section thanks to this doc
ument he had compiled, that had convinced an international committee and a nation.
He started by explaining how he got involved with the issue: he was asked by a professor in uni
versity to visit Kasargod when the media became very preoccupied with the endosulfan story. He left
Trivandrum, not expecting to find much. He reached Kahnagad, and enquired into the whole affair.
When he realised the scale of the social, environmental and health problems linked to endosulfan, he
decided to act. He researched and found out about the Stockholm Convention, and realised that the
only NGO participating was THANAL from Kerala.. He contacted Jayakumar at THANAL, decided
to accompany him to the conference held in Geneva, to present the medical evidence concerning the
hazards of endosulfan.
As he explained the politics involved in the conference, I was totally baffled by the influences
that the industry had on governments! The only way was to ensure that THANAL and the inhabitants
of Kasergod had political support on their side as well. The government of India, the world’s largest
producer of endosulfan, opposed the ban.
However, the then ruling chief minister of Kerala V. S. Achuthanandan, supported the campaign
to ban endosulfan, and while the Stockholm Convention Conference was going on, there was even a
hunger strike in Kerala for the global ban of endosulfan. This helped convey the seriousness of the issue
to the world. What really interested me were all the complications linked to influence, power and the
simple question of who made a decision. In the end it was pure and simple politics.
The scientific facts were clear, the use of endosulfan was dangerous, and endosulfan levels in
people were extremely high. For example, in a scientific publication describing the concentrations of
chemicals in breast milk in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh, India), it stated that endosulfan concentrations
were 8.6 times higher than the average daily intake level recommended by the WHO. His whole
presentation was shocking, compelling and well put together.
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In the end, the Stockholm convention listed endosulfan as a chemical to be phased out, but In
dia temporised, only agreeing to ban endosulfan in Kerala and Karnataka, the regions where there had
been problems. The reaction was immediate, and the Democratic Youth Federation of India, which is a
youth communist party in Kerala went to the Supreme Court of India to demand a national ban. The
ban was subsequently given by the court. (See Chapter VIII “Legislation Section”, under point c: “En
dosulfan Ban”).
Dr Asheel is currently working on the rehabilitation ofendosulfan victims and designing a list of
people who will benefitfrom state support.
Sunday 14th July 2013
Dr. Mohankumar Y. S., MBBS, worked in Kasargod for more than 30 years
It was a cool Sunday morning when we set off from the hotel in which we had stayed in Kasargod. We
were leaving that evening and had one more important person to visit. Many of the interviewees had
quoted him as a dedicated doctor, who had held accurate records which had played a crucial role in giv
ing clear evidence against endosulfan. As we drove up from the coast to one of Dr. Mohankumar’s clin
ics in an area close to the Karnataka border, the region got more hilly, and when we stopped to get dir
ections, we noticed that even the language had changed. As we reached what looked like a building in
the middle of the road, I could not help but notice the small crowd of people and a few cars, for this
was the time the doctor was there. We waited until he had finished with his consultations. When we
started the interview, we talked about the fact that the cashew plantations had been replaced with rub
ber plantations. This was of course after the whole endosulfan issue. The only chemical used at present
is copper sulphate, for nitrogen fixing.
The doctor had started working in the region in 1982, exactly six years after the first endosulfan
spraying. It used to be done almost 70m above the trees. This chemically affected everyone. There were
three clinics in this rural region bordering Karnataka, but before the use of pesticides the place was
pristine and people were healthy. “There was practically no anemia or malnutrition, which was great and indic
ated an ideal place, this place is actually called Swarga (heaven)” he said, indicating the road-sign. Natively
from the region, Dr Kumar had studied medicine and returned to the countryside where he has been
practicing for the past thirty-one years.
During the initial years, the doctor noticed many strange diseases and that each house had 3 to 4
sick people. The diseases were both psychiatric and physical, and at that point he wrote to senior doc
tors in the neighbouring towns. No serious investigation was initiated by the State. Slowly, more effects
could be seen within the population such as more epilepsy, miscarriage and other abnormalities, in chil
dren and adults.
The helicopters flew twice a year, and the precautions stated that the area that had been sprayed
could not be entered for at least 15 days. This regulation could never be respected; it was just unrealist
ic. “Harvesting is done between March and April, and it takes four people to harvest a kilogram of
cashew, they have to eat during the season and this despite the water contamination or pesticide sprays.
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Boiling water also worsens the effect of endosulfan, because it becomes a sulphate. “Swarga (heaven) be
came a living hell” said Dr. Mohankumar about the horrors of pesticide exposure. In 1997, he wrote an
article in the Kerala Medical Journal about these toxic effects on the population, and stating the prob
able cause as endosulfan, however this was very difficult to prove. There were only two places in India
where aerial spraying had been used: one was Kerala, the other Karnataka (the neighbouring state). Sim
ilar abnormalities were recorded in Daramsala, Karnataka, although there were fewer reactions than in
Kerala.
However, since the endosulfan ban came to Kerala in 2001, following the court case won by
Sreemati Leelakumari, there has been a noticeable decline in such cases according to Dr. Mohankumar.
After twenty five years of spraying and another ten to fifteen years of exposure to the residue in the en
vironment, the exposure has been significant, but after 2001, the effects significantly decreased: there
are fewer miscarriages and abnormalities. In the last five years no case of birth abnormality has come to
Dr Mohankumar. But society will have to take care of the victims, and wait for another two generations
to be really rid of genetic anomalies.
As for relief for the victims, there has been the building of “bud-schools”, that provide physio
therapy and teach disabled children with physical and mental handicaps.Eleven such schools were built.
Dr. Mohankumar took part in a national television debate on social issues directed by Aamir
Khan, a veteran film director, in a nationally televised programme called Satyamev Jayate, exposing the
endosulfan scandal and testifying the reduction of miscarriages after the stop of the areal sprays. He
was later sued and harassed by the pesticide companies, but the people of the region defended him..
His observationsprovided scientific evidencefor the toxicity caused by endosulfan
Tuesday 30th July 2013
Dr Pradhyumna, MBBS, MSc Public Heath, responsible for research and training in
terests in Environmental Health and Epidemiology, SOCHARA, Bangalore, India
A few weeks after my visit to Kasargod, I went to Bangalore, one of the biggest cities in South India.
There my uncle took me to the SOCHARA (Society for Community Health Awareness Research and
Action) office, where I met a doctor who is also very interested in the environment. I interviewed him
mainly about the state of environmental health in India. ''Environmental Health as a subject is evolving on a
global scale, the most basic definition ofit is actually: How does the environment impact human health, and specific
ally how do changes in the physical, chemical and biological characteristics ofthe environment impact human health”
he pointed out. He continued by saying that in India the environment is not taken seriously enough.
More emphasis is given to the industry. Even farmers, who know that pesticides are bad for health, use
them. Hence they always cultivate some crops without pesticides and keep it for the family. Political
will is actually crucial when it comes to such issues, and politics is linked to economics. In our world, it
seems difficult to change the fact that the poor become poorer and the rich become richer. Many inter-
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national companies come to India, because the rules are easier to get around. After this conversation, it
was rather difficult to ignore the blatant injustice that certain people in India are facing. But here again
he mentioned the Kasargod case as a unique situation where one pesticide was used, and this enabled
people to identify it andprove the dangers ofthe environmentalpollutant, thanks to temporality- thefact
that after the ban, the situation improved.
Saturday lyth July 2013
Professor M. A. Rahman, documentary producer, writer, retired Professor and social activist
Professor G. B. Valsan,writer, retired Professor and social activist
On Saturday 18th July, we drove into a beautiful area with trees of all shapes and shades of green, it was
actually a residential area. There we met retired professors, or rather professors who had merely
changed their profession. They had actively participated in the fight to ban endosulfan, and most re
cently written a book, and Prof Rahman made a film documentary about the issue. They also had set up
an organization to help the victims. Thanks to them, I really understood the socio-political and geo
graphical aspects of the problem.
Professor, or rather “Master” Rahman , as college teachers are called in the region, started to ex
plain that Kasargod is near the Western Ghats, a region with 14 rivers flowing down the hills to the sea.
There are many forests and throughout the centuries the region has been coveted by many .The region
boasts the existence of eight forts. The agriculture too was maintained and protected until the 1970s
Green Revolution. It is known that cashew is a crop that was brought by the Portuguese in the 15th
century, to avoid soil erosion. In the context of the Green Revolution, mono-culturing became a new
trend and 5000 hectares were solely used for cashew. First the pesticide used was endrin and it was
sprayed manually. When the decision to have aerial spraying of endosulfan was taken, the very politic
ally active region of Kasargod was unhappy, and small protests took place. This first issue was not the
pesticide poisoning, but the loss of jobs that it would be creating. The decision to use aerial spraying
was nevertheless supported, and carried out, after all it was the Green Revolution, and no other politic
al action was taken.
“Kasargod is unique as this one part of Kerala has 7 languages, which are Tulu, Kannada, Malay
alam, Urdu, Konkanni, Biyarii and Marati. This could explain the lack of communication between the
communities and the fact that the health hazards took so long to be reported.”
Furthermore there are communal, ethnic and religious tensions unlike in the rest of Kerala. In
this northern region, there is a lot of “framing”. People commit some acts of vandalism and accuse their
opponents of the crime. Politics play a major role in the region, for example the question of whether
the learning of Malayalam is necessary was highly debated. It is quite shocking, but many people living
in Kasargod do not speak the language of the region: Malayalam.
Since the cashew plantation was a monoculture, nitrogen fixing would not be renewed, which was
a long-term problem. As the first environmental movement in India, the Silent Valley, took off, Kasar-
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god was peaceful, or so it seemed. In reality, the biodiversity was highly affected and was being destroyed.
The highly moist topography of the area was not taken into account when the use of endosulfan
started. Despite regulations that clearly stipulate that there mustn’t be any spraying on water bodies
(eg. rivers) and that it should be done at 5 meters of distance from the ground, the spraying was done in
a very wet region, and from the skies, which means at a height that was much more than 5 meters. The
local population suffered, those who took the decisions however, stayed away from the region.
Up in the villages, people went on with their daily lives, eating contaminated livestock, and drink
ing the water.
Dr Mohan Kumar helped a lot by writing detailed observations of the victims, diseases like cereb
ral palsy or hydrocephalus. He recorded 150 houses where there were affected people. The Centre of
Science and Environment of India (CSE) works on a national level, but they took a long time to see the
problem. Some people still maintain that there is no problem. However the National Institute of Oc
cupational Health has made a formal report on the situation, in which many experts from all over the
country give a verdict. The article by Shree Padre published in 1979 is also an interesting source.
After the Green Revolution food went from being organic to exactly the opposite. The argument
that is repeatedly used is the higher yield that could be collected. Some say that this is not true and that
absolutely no higher yield can be noted.
An organisation named ENVISAGE (Endosulfan Victims Support Group) was set up two years
back by activists, including the interviewees. Masters Valsan and Rahman have written extensively
about the subject in Malayalam magazines. Six groups in the Arabian Gulfare currently active and
many people help ENVISAGE, The aim is to help the victims by setting up palliative carefacilities, for
example.
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Annex 4: Kerala’s Chief Minister’s view on the
endosulfan ban
V. S. AC Hiri HANANDAN
< lll> I
MIMMI H III
MKAIA
Foreword
This is an attempt to convey our grave concern over the issue of health effects
caused by endosulfan in our state with a pray to support the global ban on this
ENDOSULFAN
The Kerala S^ory
dreaded pesticide Our experts on systematic review of literature realised that
Kasaragodu district in the state is just one of the places in the country and the
world which has witnessed the III effects of this poison I am indeed surprised
to know that there are hundreds of studies which have cleared beyond
misgiving the deleterious health effects of this endosulfan
We as a stale have withheld the use of this pesticide since over a decade and
now involved in rehabilitation of the victims of endosulfan In Kasaragodu
kA
*
al KMW
Kerala have been voicing this to the centre at several occasions since 2002
Now I have no hesitation in revealing that the centre has always tried to down
play the issue and resisted the global movement to ban the use of this
Persistent Organic Pollutant.
Document Government
of Kerala in 2011 about
endosulfan
This report is a mark of our struggle against the use of endosulfan, a reflection
of what has happened in part of our state and what we are doing to
rehabilitate them and a hope for safer healthier nation and world
1. source:Endsulfan: the Kerala
Story, http://www.cseindia.org/
userfiles/endosulfan_kerala_story.pdf; 28.10.13;
V S Achuthanandan
Ihiruvananthapuram, Dated 22nd April, 2011
Forward of the Kerala Chief Minister in the document that was released by the Government of
Kerala in 2011.
I.
source:Endsulfan: the Kerala Story, http://www.cseindia.org/userfiles/endosulfan_kerala_story.pdf; 28.10.13; source:
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Annex 5: Stockholm Convention Document
(XXVII 15)
NATIONS UNIES
UNITED NATIONS
aoo«i«;
'OITAll
VXIUO NATION*
-A0«t**l rlUOAAK OUI
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UNATlON*
Reference C N 703.2011 TREATIES-8 (Depositary Notification)
STOCKHOLM CONVENUON ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS
STOC KHOLM 22 MAY 2001
ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO ANNEX A
The Secretary-General of the United Nabons. acting in his capacity as depositary,
communicates the following
At its fifth meeting held in Geneva from 25 to 29 April 2011. the Conference of the Parties to
the above Convention adopted an amendment to Annex A by decision SC-5/3 to list the chemical
■ technical endosulfan and its related isomers in the annex
In accordance with paragraphs 3 (b) and 3 (c) and paragraph 4 of article 22 of the Convention
any Party that is unable to accept an amendment to Annex A. B oi C shall so notify’ the depositary in
writing, within one year from the date of communication by the depositary of the adoption of the
amendment The depositary shall without delay notify all Parties of any such notification received A
Party may at any time withdraw a previous notification of non-acceptance in respect of any amendment
to Annex A. B or C. and the amendment shall thereupon enter into force for that Party subject to
paragraph 3 (c) of article 22. On die expiry of one year from die date of the communication by the
depositary of the adoption of die amendment to Annex A. B or C. the amendment shall enter into force
for all Parties that have not submitted a notification in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 (b)
of article 22
in accordance with paragraph 4 of article 22. an amendment to Annex A. B or C shall not enter
into force with respect to any Party that has made a declaration with respect to any amendment to those
Annexes in accordance with paragraph 4 of article 25. m which case any such amendment shall enter
into force for such a Party on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit with the depositary of its
instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession with respect to such amendment
The texts of the amendment to Annex A. as contained in the above-mentioned decision of the
Conference of the Parties, m the six authentic languages are transmitted herewith
27 October 2011
Attention Treaty Services of Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of international organizations concerned Depositary
notifications are currently issued in both hard copy and electtonic format Depositary notifications are made available
to the Permanent Missions to the United Nations at the following e-mail address: missions'Sun int Such notifications
are also available in the United Nanons Treat)' Collection on the Internet at http: treaties un org. where interested
individuals can subscnbe to directly receive depositary notificahons by e-mail through a new automated subsenphon
service Depositary notifications are available for pick-up by the Permanent Missions in Room NL-300
■i
Document of the Stockholm Convention
i. http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/Overview/TextoftheConvention/tabid/2232/Default.aspx; 06.11.13; 09:17
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