Endosulfan is banned; finally the state says NO to the killer chemical

Endosulfan use is prohibited and the chemical is banned from the state of Kerala due to its high level of toxicity, said the Pollution Control Board yesterday. The act against the chemical was issued under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) act, 1981, as a prompt response to the massive public outcry against the harmful effects of the deadly chemical.

Any violation of this act issued in public interest would call for six years imprisonment and fine. The state Government was within the rights of the Centre’s decision on prohibiting the use of Endosulfan pesticide, yet the real enforcement would depend on the efficiency with which Kerala’s Agricultural Department will shut the outlets selling the chemical insecticide.

This timely response from the government of Kerala is an upshot of the finding that large level health problems had been detected in the Kasargod district due to the aerial spraying of the pesticide on cashew plantations and also finding the chemical particles in the water and sediment samples of the Shiriya River and nearby water bodies.

The Pollution Control Board also mentioned that the Krishi bhavans and local bodies would be made vigilant to prevent the endosulfan use completely.

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