Kerala did virtually nothing for Endosulfan victims for 5 years: SC

Kerala did virtually nothing for Endosulfan victims for 5 years: SC

Subject : Environment

Section: Pollution

Context :The Supreme Court has slammed the Kerala government for doing “virtually nothing” for Endosulfan pesticide exposure victims. The court said the State’s inaction was “appalling” and amounted to a breach of the apex court’s 2017 judgment, which had ordered the State to pay ₹5 lakh each to the victims in three months.

Concept:

• Endosulfan is an off-patent organochlorine insecticide and acaricide that is being phased out globally.
• It became a highly controversial agrichemical due to its acute toxicity, potential for bioaccumulation, and role as an endocrine disruptor.
• Because of its threats to human health and the environment, a global ban on the manufacture and use of endosulfan was negotiated under the Stockholm Convention in April 2011.
  • The ban has taken effect in mid-2012, with certain uses exempted for five additional years.
  • More than 80 countries, including the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, several West African nations, the United States, Brazil, and Canada had already banned it or announced phase-outs by the time the Stockholm Convention ban was agreed upon.
  • It is still used extensively in India, China despite laws banning it, and few other countries.
    • It is produced by Makhteshim Agan and several manufacturers in India and China.
    • In India, a 2011 Supreme Court order has banned its production and sale until further notice.

Uses

• Endosulfan has been used in agriculture around the world to control insect pests including whiteflies, aphids, leafhoppers, Colorado potato beetles and cabbage worms.
• Due to its unique mode of action, it is useful in resistance management; however, as it is not specific, it can negatively impact populations of beneficial insects.
• It is, however, considered to be moderately toxic to honey bees, and it is less toxic to bees than organophosphate insecticides.

Hazardous Effects of Endosulfan

• It is highly toxic & has a large potential for bioaccumulation (substance does not leave the body).
• It has hazardous effects on human genetic & endocrine systems.
• Endocrine disruptor: enhances the effect of estrogens causing reproductive & developmental damage in both animals & humans.
  • Delayed reproductive development
  • Late sexual maturity
  • Autism
• Neurotoxic: endosulfan destroys the integrity of the nerve cells.

Endosulfan in India –

• India was one of the biggest producers & consumers of endosulfan.
• After the toxicity of the pesticide came into limelight in 2001 in Kasargod District, Kerala banned it.
• In 2011, SC banned the production, distribution & use of endosulfan in India.
• SC also directed the Kerala government to pay Rs 500 crores as compensation to over 5,000 victims.
• Globally, the use of endosulfan is banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
  • Endosulfan is listed under both Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
• Under pressure from pesticide firms, India sought remission on the ban for 10 years.
• India had agreed to phase out the use of endosulfan by 2017.

Bioaccumulation

It is typically associated with the build-up of damaging or harmful chemicals in a living thing. These chemicals will not break down in the body or are not able to be excreted. This will cause the chemical to accumulate over time

What is the Rotterdam convention 1998?

• The convention aims to promote cooperation and responsibility sharing measures amongst different countries dealing with trade in hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
• PIC, Prior Informed Consent is the main feature of the convention and is legally binding on the party members.
• PIC facilitates information exchange about nature and trade-related information amongst the party members.
• The Convention creates obligations for the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.

What is Stockholm convention 2001?

• The convention aims to reduce the concentration of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which are chemical substances that not only remain in the atmosphere for longer periods but also possess the ability to bio-accumulate.
• The convention listed 12 POPs as ‘dirty dozen’.