Effects of Endosulfan in Kasaragod

Since the late 1970s, there’s been an increase in rare diseases like birth defects, delayed puberty, intellectual disability, miscarriage and cancer. Mohan Kumar, a medical practitioner in the afflicted areas, was the first to document his observations of these illnesses and bring them to the attention of the media in the mid-1990s. Subsequently, another medical practitioner, Dr. Sripathy Kajampady, who operates a clinic in the same area, also reported a number of health issues, particularly among female and child patients. The inhabitants of Kasaragod had been exposed to the endosulfan directly due to the spraying process, as well as through the contamination of their water, food, and air. Subsequently, numerous studies were conducted to uncover the connection between these diseases and the spraying process.

In 2001, the Commission was aware of stories in the press that the spraying of Endosulfan pesticide in the Kasaragod District of Kerala had caused serious health risks. So, they asked the ICMR for a report, which was released in July 2002 by the National Institute Of Health (NIOH). It was a comprehensive environmental epidemiological study done to the highest scientific standards, taking into account all the previous research and surveys. The main findings were that Endosulfan had caused serious health problems. The National Institute of Health (NIOH) has concluded that there is a significantly higher incidence of neuro behavioural disorders, birth defects, and reproductive system abnormalities in female subjects in the Padre village versus the reference group. Furthermore, a comparison of ethotoxic factors was conducted between the two groups, and it was concluded that the primary difference between the two groups was the level of aerial spray of Endosulfan, thus suggesting that the most likely cause of the health issues in the area could be a high level of exposure to Endosulfan via various environmental media, including food, water, soil, and air. 

The potential for endocrine disruption caused by endosulfan identified in this study is of great significance to the health of future generations. Given the potential for serious consequences, the precautionary principle should be adhered to, as outlined in Principle 15 of the Earth Summit. This principle states that the lack of scientific certainty should not be used as an excuse to delay action to prevent potentially serious or irreparable damage to the environment. It is therefore recommended that the populations included in this study be monitored for the development of endocrine-related cancers.