International research on endosulfan

India

A 2002 British Medical Journal article outlining a order by a court in south India to ban use of endosulfan “after growing concern at the risk of farmers and villagers being poisoned”.

US

A 2004 BMJ clinical review examining evidence of a link between environmental chemicals and adverse effects on human reproductive health.

“…exposure of boys to endosulfan is associated with delayed puberty, though this could have resulted from prenatal exposure. More dramatically, fertile men in an agricultural area of Missouri have been shown to have sperm counts about 40% lower than men in three urban US areas, and to have higher urinary concentrations of three currently used pesticides.

“Similarly, direct measurement of certain phthalate metabolites is significantly related to reduced semen quality in men, endometriosis in women, and shorter gestation periods in pregnant women.

“Although these new findings are suggestive, for none is the mechanism of the chemical’s effect self evident. This leaves doubts as to whether the measured chemicals are the real culprits or are surrogates for other chemical exposures or lifestyle practices.

The US Environmental Protection Agency in August called for submissions on a request by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) to “revoke all tolerances for the organochlorine pesticide endosulfan”.

Submissions close in late October.

Australia

The Australian Government’s 2005 final review on endosulfan.

Use of endosulfan is restricted in Australia.

From the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

“A key concern of the review was to prevent cattle from ingesting endosulfan residues. The APVMA imposed mandatory buffer zones for spraying and neighbourhood notification before application.

“Livestock must not be fed any pasture, forage or fodder treated with endosulfan. In the review the APVMA strengthened restrictions on the supply and use of endosulfan. Endosulfan must not be used on leafy vegetables, berry fruits (including grapes), bananas, sorghum and maize, peanuts, legume vegetables, bulb vegetables, sweet corn or cole vegetables (except cabbage (head) broccoli and cauliflower).”

A backgrounder on endosulfan from the Queensland State Goverment.

European Union

A European Food Safety Authority report on endosulfan as an “undesirable substance” in animal feed.