Should Endosulfan Be Banned in the Philippines Considering Its Effects on the Environment?
After Manny Pacquiao won the WBC Lightweight Championship title against David Diaz yesterday (June 29,2008), some of us Filipinos may still feel depressed with the reality that the effects of Typhoon Frank are still felt these days especially in Iloilo and Romblon where MV Princess of the Stars sank. The sinking of this marine vehicle (MV) brought forward issues concerning the use of Endosulfan for agricultural purposes.
News has it that MV Princess of the Stars contains 10 metric tons of this toxic chemical which is primarily used as fertilizer pesticide. Del Monte intended to use the Endosulfan contained in MV Princess of the Stars for their pineapple plantation.
There is, however, some problems with the use of Endosulfan. First, it’s a highly toxic chemical. A small amount (2.5 grams) is enough to kill a person weighing 70 kgs (154 lbs) or less with the following symptoms: dizziness, headache, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeat and convulsions. Second, it’s not environment-friendly. Fishes in the nearby areas where the MV Princess of the stars sank have started to die as if there is a plague in the place. People’s livelihoods are affected because residents in fishing villages largely depend on fishing. The death of fishes in their waters is tantamount to the death of their livelihoods.
Endosulfan is sold under the tradenames Thionex, Thiodan, Phaser, and Benzoepin. It is banned in many countries like the European Union, Belize, Cambodia, Columbia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Syria, Cambodia, Bahrain, Tonga and United Arab Emirates. The Philippines imports Endosulfan from Israel. There is a worldwide calling to stop the manufacture and use of Endosulfan because of its environmental and health implications.
People who ingest this chemical (by way of breathing, swallowing and skin openings) are affected badly. The heart, liver and kidneys could fail (which could lead to death) and the central nervous system (CNS) is disrupted. This is because Endosulfan is an endocrine disruptor and as the name implies, it disrupts normal functioning of the endocrine gland and the whole CNS, thus, affecting other organs of the body.
With all these facts about this chemical, isn’t it time that other countries (like the Philippines) follow suit in banning the manufacture, importation and use of Endosulfan?
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Tags: Ban Endosulfan, health, MV Princess of the Stars, Nursing, Nursing Research, Philippines
Ohoho..if the MV Princess didn’t sank this Endosulfan bad effects won’t come out! Kitam..? why we need some tragedy to know what is going on and to find out that there is something wrong.
ALam ba nila kaya na ganyan ang epekto nyan bago eto napag-usapan o basta nalang for selfish act? Musta fren..ok na ako salamat sa concern.
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Fren,
It’s good to know you’re ok. The use of Endosulfan in the Philippines should really be banned. Endosulfan’s effects on health outweighs its use as pesticide. I think we can do away with other pesticides. We have alternatives that the business sector can use, why not tap these resources instead of using Endosulfan?
jessie’s last blog post..Taking a Short Break From Blogging
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You can ban almost every chemical pesticide, Endosulfan has been there for years and nothing has been reported for its harmful effects. Its only now because of the sea fare tragedy. (Almost every pesticide has a negative effect on human health, it will depend upon usage)
Jan Alvin’s last blog post..Mabuhay City: Overseas Filipino Worker Social Networking
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