Posted by D Bailey on May 30, 20089 CommentsPrinter Friendly
Australian scientists have found that fish exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of endosulfan and chlorpyrifos showed significant reductions in the ability to survive in warmer waters. Both endosulfan and chlorpyrifos are commonly used in cotton, horticulture and sugar cane production.
The study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry predicts that global warming will make fish more susceptible to dying from pesticide-contaminated water. According to the study affected fish displayed “erratic swimming…, uncoordinated movement with body quivering, rolling over on sides or back” and loss of the ability to swim upright.
Combine this with the strain already imposed on global fish stocks as a consequence of over-fishing by commercial operators and it’s not difficult to envisage a future without many popular fish varieties.
So, what exactly are endosulfan and chlorpyrifos?
According to the Pesticide Action Network of North America, endosulfan is an antiquated insecticide. Here are some facts about endosulfan:
- It is highly toxic and persistent
- It has been banned in the European Union
- It is used extensively throughout rural U.S., India, China, and many other countries.
- Studies indicate that it endangers the health and wellbeing of children, farmworkers, and those living proximate to affected areas
- Poisoning symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and in extreme cases unconsciousness and even death
- It is a suspected endocrine disruptor, with low dose exposure while in the womb being linked to autism, male reproductive harm, and birth defects.
Much like endosulfan, chlorpyrifos is a dangerous yet widely used pesticide. Here are some facts about chlorpyrifos:
- It is a neurotoxic organophosphate insecticide, acaricide and miticide used to control foliage and soil-borne insect pests on a variety of food and feed crops.
- About 20 million pounds of chlorpyrifos are applied in the U.S. every year according to the EPA, with about half for agricultural uses and half for residential uses
- Until recently it was used extensively in homes for pest control (mostly as a termiticide and in pet flea collars)
- It causes cholinesterase inhibition in humans which can result in nausea, dizziness, confusion, respiratory paralysis and even death.
What can be done?
Studies such as this are an important reminder of the need to remove dangerous pesticides from our food chain. Apart from the obvious potentially adverse health consequences associated with pesticide use, their persistent nature means that many of them will continue to wreak environmental havoc long after their initial application. Here are some steps to take if you’re keen to remove pesticides from our food chain:
- Support organic agriculture
- Join PANNA.
- Write to your local politician requesting that endosulfan and chlorpyrifos be banned from use.
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Thanks - but scary! Isn’t it time we woke up to what chemical companies are doing to people health.
Endosulfan is safe for people and the environment as long as the NOEL is respected. It is the only pesticide in use with a tolerant strain of egg parasite. It is therefore factually incorrect to label it has antiquated. The agronomy of BRIC countries and the European Union is so different that bans in one region should not reflect in another. Alcohol and beef are banned in parts of India. We do not insist that Brussels must copy us. Australia maintains allegiance to the British Monarch: the rest of the world does not have to follow. India and China should be permitted, at any rate, to follow independent regulations. The numbers of people who have successfully used Endosulfan in these countries, exceeds by far, your entire population. Endosulfan is useful and economical. It deserves to be used and treated with care.
Dr Banerji - You raise some interesting points. To an extent I agree with you regarding prohibitive legislation being imposed, or for that matter driven, by Western countries who may or may not be familiar with India’s circumstances. However, I don’t think that’s likely to happen.
With respect to your comments regarding “successful” use of Endosulfan in China and India, our views diverge. While I guess it all depends on what you classify “successful” use of Endosulfan to be, there are more people in China and India suffering ill health as a result of being exposed to dangerous pesticides (Endosulfan included) than live in Australia. Having undertaken three volunteer medical missions to Rajasthan throughout my career I have had the misfortune of seeing first hand the impact pesticides can have on the human body. How do you define “successful” use?
I suspect your comment regarding Endosulfan being “economical” fails to take into account the downstream collateral damage associated with the insecticide’s use. Any economic model that failed to capture the broader (social and economic) costs arising from Endosulfan use would appear one-dimensional and ultimately flawed in its design.
Thank you for your kind response.
I also have worked extensively in Rajasthan, including being responsible for aerial spraying of Endosulfan in Ganganagar.
Endosulfan successful use should be defined as following label instructions, and using IPM technology to protect crop yields without harming people and the environment.
Endosulfan - It has been banned in the European Union
why? and why is it not banned in the US and elsewhere? Let me tell you why it is; greed. Corporate greed.
I agree with you. Corporate greed of European pesticide companies has persuaded Brussels to replace Endosulfan with expensive neonicotinoids. Countries with sub-tropical farms can and have found ways to use Endosulfan safely, effectively, and economically.
Most of the agrochem companies come from the good old U.S.A.
The U.S. companies are stronger in organo-phosphates and carbamates, as well as important herbicide groups. None of them, to my knowledge have gained from pesticide bans, as have European Union and Swiss companies.
So what was the upshot of this - is endosulfan okay to use or not?
If it’s not, what kind of fruit/veg is it sprayed on?