Ban on popular but much-maligned insecticide endosulfan in Kerala and Karnataka due to its alleged health hazards is being seen by some experts as not just unreasonable and unscientific but also as one that could lead farmers to use potentially more dangerous and costlier insecticides,particularly in the cotton belt. The three organophosphate (OP) insecticides phosphamidon,methyl parathion and monocrotophos belong to the category of either banned or restricted use pesticides in India. It is a matter of immense concern that there has been a sudden increase in the use of these extremely hazardous category insecticides on cotton over the past two years for mealybug control. In the absence of endosulfan,farmers will be inclined to use organophosphates as alternatives, says the Director of Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR),Keshav Kranthi. Bt cotton,now sown on more than 95 per cent of Indias cotton fields,is effective against wrecker-in-chief insect bollworm,but farmers have to use insecticides to control mealybug,spodoptera and myrid bugs. While phosphamidon and methyl parathion have been put in category 1A (extremely hazardous) by World Health Organisation (WHO),monocrotophos has been included in 1B (highly hazardous) category; endosulfan,which is an organochlorine class of insecticide,comes much later in Class 2 (moderately hazardous) category. Also,while endosulfan costs farmers about Rs 260 per hectare,other pesticides cost up to Rs 500 per hectare. There are international research papers that have noted the depression-causing effects of organophosphates. These chemicals,when used casually,get under the skin and reach the nervous system,causing depression. The farmer would simply not realise what has made him nervous and he may even commit suicide. In a 2005 paper titled,Suicide and Exposure to Organophosphate Insecticides: Cause or Effect?,authors L London and others say: Animal studies link OP exposure to disturbances in the central nervous system,which are implicated in depression and suicide in humans. Epidemiological studies conclude that acute and chronic OP exposure is associated with affective disorders. Case series and ecological studies support a causal association between OP use and suicide. Besides,organophosphates are known to cause many other toxic effects on humans and animals. Hence,endosulfan is suggested as a safer,cheaper alternative that can control the bugs. Also,endosulfan is relatively safer for insects carrying heavier cotton pollen grains such as honey bees, Kranthi says. He,however,adds: Hazardous effect of any insecticide can be minimised by using them in the prescribed manner,which generally doesnt happen in the fields. C D Mayee,a renowned agriculture scientist and the Chairman of Agriculture Scientists Recruitment Board,who was asked to look into endosulfan effects on human health in Kerala,had argued along the same line,but had faced the wrath of anti-endosulfan activists in Kerala. Endosulfan is proposed to be phased out in 15 years. Actually,its not so hazardous as it has been made out to be. A recent study by Central governments Pesticide Residue Management Network project on 15,000 samples of different crops has shown that the endosulfan residue is as less as 0.4 per cent. Yet,if it is to be phased out as mandated,Indian farmers must have cheaper alternatives to bank upon, Mayee says. And then pesticides such as organophosphates are also hazardous,so why make such an issue only about endosulfan, Mayee asks. If chemical pesticides and insecticides are harmful one or the other way,whats the solution? Ecological control such as integrated pest management is one of the options,but it is not so easy to manage for all. Hence,we need scientific intervention such as genetic modification (GM) technology that will eliminate pesticide use. Till that happens,the use of cheaper and relatively safer chemical alternatives will have to be allowed, says Kranthi. Fact File THE UN has recommended a ban on endosulfan in 127 countries. India is opposed to the ban. Kerala accounts for 1% of total endosulfan used in India. More than 80% of it is used by Maharashtra,Andhra Pradesh,Gujarat. No complaints of health problems have been reported from these states. It is effective against 60 pests,and has been in use for over 50 years. It is used worldwide as ear tags for lactating cows and cattle for control of ecto-parasites. India is worlds leading endosulfan producer and exporter,and controls 80% of worlds market,accounting for Rs 400 crore of its Rs 5,200 crore pesticides industry. LISTING IT as persistent organic pollutant was inspired by European agrochemical business interests,says Pradip Dave of the Pesticides Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India.
