In News
- Recently, the Supreme Court issued notice on a petition seeking contempt action against Kerala for not disbursing ?5 lakh each as compensation to the victims of endosulfan pesticide exposure.
About Endosulfan
- 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 intiatives
- 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
- 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.
Source: TH
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