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Endosulfan, the banned poison still served on our dining tables

  • The US government banned Endosulfan in 2010
  • Documentary features the sufferings of Endosulfan victims in India, Mexico, Argentina and the US
  • The residue of the pesticide still remains in the soil, water and air of plantations
Endosulfan still served on our dining tables

Endosulfan, the pesticide that poisoned the life of cashew plantation labourers in Kasargod, continues to be a major problem in the third world countries. A documentary on Endosulfan hit district called 'Circle of Poison' that was broadcasted in Al Jazeera reveals that the pesticide, which was banned in the US in 2010 is still being exported to 25 countries including India.
 

The documentary features the sufferings of Endosulfan victims in India, Mexico, Argentina, Bhutan and the US. It states the residue of pesticide is running across the dining tables in these countries as it is found in vegetables, tea, coffee and even drinking water. 
 

It states that the US government encourages export of anything heavily regulated or banned in the country. David Weit, the co-author of the  'Circle of Poison: Pesticides and People in a Hungry World' say the US government promotes export as compensation for the companies for the loss they suffer in the US market. 
 

Vandana Shiva, the noted activist, points out that pesticides were introduced in the plantation sector in India as a means to increase production as part of development. It was said that India remains underdeveloped as it is not using pesticides in its agriculture sector. 
 

The documentary focuses on three Endosulfan victims, who are suffering from cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, from Kasargod. C Jayakumar, the director of Kerala-based NGO Thanal also features in the documentary. 
 

Other than Kerala, it also narrates the difficulties paused by the pesticide in Ituzaingo in Argentina, Yaqui River Valley in Mexico and Lousiana in the US.
 

 


 

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