No health problems linked to exposure to Endosulfan: committee

Ahmedabad, Apr 21 (PTI) The report of the eleven-member committee constituted by the Gujarat government to evaluate the safety aspects of pesticide ''Endosulfan'' has concluded that there are no health problems associated with exposure to Endosulfan, official sources said.

Karnataka decision on Endosulfan not based on Science

Endosulfan is not carcinogenic. US EPA has classified Endosulfan under Group-E (Evidence of non-carcinogenicity). (see below the image of original document from US EPA)

Dr Andrew McKenzie, Executive Director of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority said “The claim that endosulfan, among other pesticides, is a carcinogen is just plain wrong,” “While no-one can be 100% certain about anything, endosulfan has been specifically tested for carcinogenic potential and the World Health Organisation, United Nations Environment Programme and International Labour Organisation categorically state that endosulfan does not show any such potential. Equally any other chemical used in food production is extensively evaluated for safety to humans. Raising concerns of this sort for people, where no cause for them exists, is irresponsible,” said Dr McKenzie. “It is very difficult to counter the worries this will raise for people, and is particularly upsetting when we know the statement is patently untrue”.
Source:
http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/publications/media-releases/2006-03-03.htm

Endosulfan

Maslow's theory of hierarchy of needs is very relevant in understanding psychology of activists.

According to Maslow, human needs can be presented in form of a five-level pyramid with the most basic needs at the bottom of the pyramid and highest level needs at the top.

5. self-actualization (morality, creativity, achievement etc.)

4. esteem

3. belongingness

2. safety

1. physiological needs (food, clothing, shelter)

As per Maslow's theory, people will first try to satisfy their physiological i.e., lowest level needs such as food, clothing, shelter etc. Once the lowest order need is satisfied, they will try to satisfy higher level needs such as safety and belongingness. Once that is satisfied, they will think of esteem. And finally, when all lower order needs are satisfied, they will think of self-actualization.

This theory is applicable to activists. More particularly in developing countries like India, there is a problem of unemployment. To start with something, activists accept funds for campaigning. Sacrificing morality, they come out with tailor-made unscientific reports. Once they get addicted, they want to make a quick-buck through funded campaigns.

There is also a rush to claim "compensation" for which people try to prove that they are "endosulfan victims". Some politicians distribute funds to such victims despite the fact that the expert committee appointed by the government has concluded that there is no link between alleged health effects and Endosulfan.

Endosulfan on Wikipedia

Wikipedia - "the free encyclopedia" carries an article on Endosulfan. It is well known that activists love to hate Endosulfan, but how they make use of such free resources like wikipedia is really amazing. Try to add scientific information in the Endosulfan article on wikipedia and you will be surprized as the uploaded information will be deleted very soon. Activists are hired to monitor and use free resources such as wikipedia.

Down To Earth [DTE] Publishes Unscientific Articles

Down To Earth publishes unscientific articles on Endosulfan. This magazine has also published in past a lab report on analysis of Endosulfan carried out by Centre For Science and Environment [CSE] lab. In said report, CSE has reported amount of Endosulfan 27 times higher than its scientifically established solubility in filtered water. Study conducted by CSE was funded by European Union. Activists

If such horror story entertains you, there is another one at http://www.downtoearth.org.in/node/32919
Another Kasaragod
Author(s): Savvy Soumya Misra
Issue: Jan 31, 2011

The article starts with "Like Kerala’s Kasaragod, neighbouring Dakshina Kannada is bearing the brunt of spraying of endosulfan. While Kasaragod grabbed media spotlight and Kerala banned the pesticide, victims in Karnataka are still struggling for recognition"

The expert committee constituted by Government categorically concluded that there is no link between Endosulfan and alleaged health effects in Kasargod.

Now desparate attempts are made through DTE magazine to deceive public. The article states:

"If one cannot prove endosulfan as a causative factor, one cannot disprove it either."

Media has selectively picked up only such horror sensationalizing stories which are not based on science.

HIL workers at Kerala Endosulfan plant seek probe into NIOH study

Over 300 workers from the Hindustan Insecticides Limited plant manufacturing Endosulfan near Kochi at Kerala organised a rally today to oppose the unscientific approach adopted by environmental NGOs to seek ban on Endosulfan. HIL workers emphasized an investigation into the flaws observed in the study which was released by the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH).

The workers demanded that their own experience and the farmers’ experience be taken into consideration as they work with the pesticide Endosulfan. Endosulfan was manufactured and used for more than 50 years across the world and continues to be in use in many countries without any ill effects to humans or environment. The fact that the workers who are handling endosulfan since so many years have not suffered from any ill effects is enough evidence that alleged health effects in Kerala are not caused by endosulfan.

There are over 6000 workers employed in the manufacturing of Endosulfan in various plants of India and 400 of these workers are employed in the HIL plant.

A rally was also organised by over 3000 people including workers at endosulfan plant of Excel Crop Care Bhavnagar and their family members demanding probe into NIOH report. Workers conveyed "we, our family members and our generations are healthy" implying that allegations on endosulfan are scientifically untrue but political in nature.

Endosulfan likely to be re-introduced in some countries where it is currently banned

As some “alternatives” to Endosulfan have caused Colony Collapse Disorder in honeybees, re-introduction of Endosulfan is being considered. Endosulfan has relatively low toxicity to many species of beneficial insects, mites and spiders (that is, ones which prey upon or parasites and damaging insect pests). More importantly, it is soft to honeybees.

Even in Europe where Endosulfan is currently banned, some of the member states had to authorize placing of Endosulfan on market under unavoidable circumstances for a controlled use.