Report On Health Effects Of Endosulfan And Progress Of Rehabilitation Activities In Kerala" by Govt. of Kerala April 20, 2011

July 01, 2017

Endosulfan, a highly toxic organochlorine pesticide was sprayed in the cashew plantations in Kasaragod District since 1978, till 2001 regularly three times every year. The aerial spraying of Endosulfan was undertaken to contain the menace of the tea mosquito bug. As early as 1979, stunted growth and deformed limbs were noticed among new born calves. By 1990s health disorders of very serious nature among the human population came to the lime light. Children were found to be the worst affected with congenital anomalies, mental retardation, physical deformities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hydrocephalus etc. Men and women were also affected with various chronic ailments, many irreversible and difficult to treat. From the mid of 1990’s, the community living near plantations had been complaining against the spraying of Endosulfan.