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Just say no to these chemicals too!
The chemical industry and the regulatory authorities take risk assessment arguments to hog wash the larger public that the deadly chemicals they churn out are apparently safe. However the fact remains that all of these chemicals cause harm to your environment and life. Its time you said no to all these chemicals. Here is the list of all those that can cause real damage to your health if exposed even in small doses over a period of time.
1.Endosulfan:
Trade Name: THIODON
Classified under Organochlorine (OC) compounds, this is a Class II pesticide as per WHO. It is a suspected endocrine disruptor. The story from Kasargod in Kerala gives a real picture of the shocking impacts of this pesticide, closer home.
Endosulfan is suspected to be a carcinogen, teratogen and causing embryo toxicity. Endosulfan generally has been shown to have high acute oral and inhalation toxicity as well as slightly toxic dermal toxicity. Further, there is evidence (effects observed in a submitted chronic oral toxicity study in rats) that endosulfan acts as an endocrine disruptor. The latest country to ban endosulfan has been Cambodia. Countries like Srilanka, Netherlands, Norway, Belize, Germany, UK, Singapore, Sweden, Tonga etc., have banned the chemical while others like Finland, Kuwait and Canada have restricted the pesticide.
2.Dicofol:
Trade Name: DICOBIL
Dicofol is an organochlorine acaricide (a chemical that kills mites) that is structurally similar to DDT. It is highly toxic to aquatic life and can cause eggshell thinning in some bird species. DDT is one of the intermediate products produced during dicofol manufacture. Like many insecticides and acaricides, dicofol is a nerve poison. Symptoms of ingestion and/or respiratory exposure include nausea, dizziness, weakness and vomiting; dermal exposure may cause skin irritation or a rash; and eye contact may cause conjunctivitis. Poisoning may affect the liver, kidneys or the central nervous system. Very severe cases may result in convulsions, coma, or death from respiratory failure. The US EPA has classified dicofol as a Group C chemical, possible human carcinogen. US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had to temporarily cancel the use of dicofol because relatively high levels of DDT contamination were ending up in the final product (1986). Voluntarily
withdrawn in Sweden for environmental reasons. In Switzerland its use is permitted for research purposes only. Throughout the European Union, dicofol containing less than 78% pp'-dicofol or more than lg/kg (0.1%) of DDT or DDT related compounds cannot be used.
3.Mancozeb
Trade Name: DITHANE M 45
This is a fungicide, falling under the category of Dithiocarbamate; though not acutely toxic, this chemical is a carcinogen and
developmental/reproductive toxin. It is also a suspected endocrine disruptor. The US EPA also lists it as a possible carcinogen. Moderate to high toxicity levels when it comes to eco-toxicity on fish. In countries like Libya and Sweden, the
chemical is banned or severely restricted, on grounds of being genotoxic and carcinogenic
4. Fenvalerate
Trade Name : Bilfen 20 EC
This is classified as a WHO Class II pyrethroid, an insecticide. It is also used as a structural pest control chemical. It is a suspected endocrine disruptor with moderate acute toxicity. The status in the US with regard to carcino-genecity is
Unclassifiable. There is inadequate data to know whether it does not contaminate groundwater. In Germany, this is not registered anymore from 1998. Banned across EU from 1999
5.Quinalphos:
Trade Name: BAYRUSIL
Once again, an OP compound known as Class II moderately hazardous. This is a cholinesterase inhibitor and it is not clearly known that it does not cause groundwater contamination or endocrine disruption or is not a developmental or
reproductive toxin. Though this is not banned or restricted in many countries, this chemical in many cases is poisoning farmers in districts like Warangal and Bhatinda in India. The farmers here mention this as one of the more deadly chemicals to watch out for. Incidentally, this is slated for voluntary withdrawal across EU this year. It is already banned in Indonesia
6.Carbaryl:
Trade Name: SEVIN
This Carbamate pesticide is used as insecticide, nematicide and plant growth regulator. Classified as WHO Class II pesticide its carcinogenic effects have never been fully ruled out. Chances still point to traits as a mutagen and teratogen. This chemical has been recognized as an endocrine disruptor. A potential groundwater contaminant. A known cholinesterase inhibitor. Carbaryl can produce adverse effects in humans by skin contact, inhalation or ingestion. It inhibits nerve enzyme cholinesterase and consequential disruption of the nervous system. In the UK, in November 1995, new company data indicated carbaryl could cause cancer in humans, although the research is not yet in the public domain. It is also been found to be lethal to many non-target species. It can over-stimulate the nervous system causing nausea, dizziness, confusion, and at high exposures, respiratory paralysis, and death and may damage the kidneys and nervous systems. Within the stomach it produces N-nitrocarbaryl, a well-known carcinogen, Non-hodkins Lymphoma, brain cancer.
Banned in Indonesia; Angola, Austria, Germany and Sweden are some other countries that have banned this chemical. Restricted use in UK. Voluntary restriction of uses by the company in the US
7.Fenthion
Trade Name: LEBAYCID
The chemical is classified moderately toxic, under Class II of WHO classification. This is an Organophosphorus Insecticide and Avicide. This is used for public health and structural pest control purposes too. This is a known cholinesterase inhibitor and potential groundwater contaminant. The US Environmental Protection Agency concluded that previously approved uses of fenthion posed unreasonable risks to human health and the environment. Very highly toxic effects have been recorded for ecotoxicity of this chemical. Fenthion may be mutagenic and may be a carcinogen. Its use has been implicated in several bird kill incidents and there have been campaigns in Greece against the chemical. Some African countries have banned or deregistered the pesticide. Angola is an example. Banned in Indonesia.
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