Let's Not Wait For Another Disaster Before We Act on Endosulfan

We have kept our silence on the M/V Princess of the Stars incident since after the day it happened. I was certain that there would be a cacophony of voices that would want to be heard on the issue, and a blogger's thoughts would not make a difference in that scenario.

We tried to digest all information that we have heard, read and seen, hoping that somehow we would be able to make sense of these bewildering developments.

Today we decided to break our silence and focus on the insecticide that remains trapped in the upturned vessel. Allow me to get quite technical here.

Endosulfan is a neurotoxic organochlorine insecticide of the cyclodiene family of pesticides. It is an endocrine disruptor, and it is highly acutely toxic. It is banned in the European Union, Cambodia, and several other countries, while its use is restricted in other countries, including the Philippines. It is still used extensively in many countries including the US and India. It is made by Bayer CropScience, Makhteshim-Agan, and Hindustan Insecticides Limited among others, and sold under the tradenames Thionex, Thiodan, Phaser, and Benzoepin. Because of its high toxicity and high potential for bioaccumulation and environmental contamination, a global ban on the use and manufacture of endosulfan is being considered under the Stockholm Convention. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endosulfan)

Following are excerpts from the United Nations Environment Programme's(UNEP) Endosulfan Proposal, a paper submitted at the Third Meeting of Stockholm Convention On Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee held at Geneva, Switzerland from November 19 to November 23, 2007:

"Excessive and improper application and handling of endosulfan have been linked to congenital physical disorders, mental retardations and deaths in farm workers and villagers in developing countries in Africa, southern Asia and Latin America. Endosulfan was found among the most frequently reported intoxication incidents, adding unintentionally further evidence to its high toxicity for humans.

According to the available data, endosulfan is very persistent in the environment and is frequently found in environmental compartments. It has a great potential for bioaccumulation. Due to its physical and chemical properties and atmospheric half-life, and based on modelling data and findings in environmental samples, it has been proved that endosulfan is transported long distances, far from its sources. Endosulfan is a very toxic chemical for nearly all kind oforganisms. Endosulfan has the potential to cause some endocrine disruption in both terrestrial and aquatic species.

Endosulfan causes neurotoxicity and haematological effects and nephrotoxicity. Placing on the market and use of endosulfan has been prohibited in the European Union. However, it is still produced in some countries (Worldwide production estimated at 10,000 metric tonnes.) and it continues to be used in many countries. Given the inherent properties of endosulfan, together with demonstrated or potential environmental concentrations that exceed maximum permissible concentrations; and given the widespread occurrence of endosulfan, including in remote areas; it is concluded that endosulfan is likely, as a result of its long-range environmental transport, to lead to significant adverse human health and environmental effects, such that global action is warranted." (http://www.pops.int/documents/meetings/poprc_3/meetingdocs/poprc3_doc/05/poprc3_5e.pdf)

The pesticide was banned in the Philippines in 1993 but the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority allowed its restricted use in 1995 in order to prevent a disease that threatened the pineapple industry. The ban has not been reimposed on the pineapple growers since then despite the fact that the lifting of the ban was intended to last for only two years.

As we are sighing with disbelief,the main protagonists, Sulpicio Lines and Del Monte are engaging in an intramurals; the two sides are hurling allegations on who is to blame on why the dangerous shipment ended up in the passenger vessel. Sulpicio is claiming that Del Monte failed to declare that the cargo is highly toxic while Del Monte is claiming otherwise.

In the meantime, while they are debating and filing charges in Court, the salvage operations have been put on hold, the retrieval of bodies deferred and all fishing activities in the area stopped. Both living and dead have been affected by this disaster.

The official government stand is still forthcoming and the 10,000 kilograms of the dangerous chemical remains submerged off Romblon. Our Government cannot decide quickly on this very vital issue when what is needed is immediate and swift action.

Let us no wait for another disaster to happen as an offshoot of this disaster.