Endosulfan

In Context

• The Supreme Court directed the Kasargod District Legal Services Authority in Kerala to inspect the medical and palliative care facilities provided to endosulfan victims.

About

• Numerous complaints have been filed regarding the Kerala state government’s failure to offer adequate health care infrastructure to Endosulfan victims. 
• The State government claims that 98% (over 3700 people) of the victims have received ?5 lakh compensation as per the apex court’s 2017 judgment. 
• The Kerala government also argued that it has provided victims with access to the required medical facilities. 

Endosulfan

• About:
  • Endosulfan is a pesticide. It is a cream- to brown-coloured solid that may appear in the form of crystals or flakes.
  • It smells like turpentine but does not burn. 
  • It does not occur naturally in the environment
  • It is sold as a mixture of two different forms of the same chemical (referred to as α- and β-endosulfan). 
• Uses: 
  • It is used to control insects on food and non-food crops and also as a wood preservative
  • Endosulfan can be released into the air, water, and soil in areas where it is applied as a pesticide.
• Health effects:
  • The health effects of the chemical include neurotoxicity, late sexual maturity, physical deformities, poisoning, among others.
  •  People, especially newborns, have suffered deformities, health complications and loss of family members due to exposure to agrochemicals.
• Ban in India: 
  • Endosulfan pesticide was used widely on crops like cashew, cotton, tea, paddy, fruits and others until 2011 when the Supreme Court banned its production and distribution. 
• Other initiatives: 
  • In 2012, when there was the threat of endosulfan leaks from old godowns, they were transferred to new godowns through a scheme called Operation Blossom Spring. 
    • It aims to restore organic farming practices back in the district and preserve the ecological balance.

Source: TH