On July 26, 2007, the European Commission proposed to add Endosulfan to Annexe-D of the Stockholm Convention, suggesting to consider Endosulfan as Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP). However, Endosulfan does not meet crtieria for inclusion in the said Annexe. The EC proposal relied on data of poor integrity. Information from publications of unknown quality is often used instead of standard GLP Guideline-studies which are available for the most important risk assessment endpoints. Moreover, in the proposal, most crucial information on quantitative risk assessment is missing, whcih is a requirement under Annex D, 2.
For evaluating criteria on persistence, the draft dossier (UNEP/POPS/POPRC.3/5) refers mainly to laboratory study results or values generated under artificial conditions, and poor study designs. Recent guideline soil metabolism studies were not considered. It is mentioned in the proposal that half-life of Endosulfan is greater than 200 days in water at pH 5 i.e., under highly acidic condition which does not occur in most of the water resources. Similarly, it also does not meet criteria on bioaccumulation, potential for long range transport and adverse effects. Half life of alpha Endosulfan in water is 22 days and 7 hrs at pH 7 & 9 respectively; and half life of beta Endosulfan is 17 days and 5.1 hrs at pH 7 & 9 respectively http://www.apvma.gov.au/chemrev/downloads/endosulfan_ir_chem.pdf
In short, Endosulfan decomposes fast in neutral or slightly alkaline medium. pH of sea water is highly alkaline. pH of human blood is 7.4 which is again on alkaline side.
The EC proposal to consider endosulfan as a POP candidate for further technical review under Annex D of the Stockholm Convention is not based on reliable data. Read more -
http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc/submissions/Endosulfan_2008/Endosulfan_CropLife_2008_01.pdf