Countries have been using chemicals substances in various field in their country. Commonly, it is to boost agricultural, cosmetics, technology and modernized a wide range of livelihood. In time, more and more realize their effect on the human’s health as well as environment. The more advanced people awareness on the issue about chemicals impact to their country, the more careful their country allow chemicals in their countries.
Developed countries tend to have more list of banned chemicals then developing countries. If you compare the list of banned chemicals in the united states to list of banned chemicals in the Philippines they highlight different chemicals. Every country have their own consideration when making a regulation to banned chemical usages.
Banned Chemicals in Kerala
The developed country most likely to ban chemicals for industries, food or cosmetics. However, developing countries such as Pakistan, Malaysia, and India bans chemicals in agriculture. The same thing applies to Kerala, this country in the southern part of India has been battling pesticides for years.
Chemicals in Kerala is mostly using for agriculture purpose. While Kerala chemicals problems apply to their vegetables and fruits, a new study suggests another hazards usage of chemicals are in spices and condiments. Therefore, Kerala bans several harmful Chemicals fertilizer and pesticides. Here is the list of banned chemicals in Kerala.
- Profenofos and Methyl Parathion
The two chemicals in Kerala is also known as the cotton poison. Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) sampled vegetables, fruits, spices, and condiments from various street market and supermarket. In fact, samples of chilies, cumin powder, and cumin seeds contain Profenofos. A sample of dry ginger powder had a high residue of Methyl Parathion.
- Carbofuran
The chemical affects the androgen a part of the body that control the human body. It interferes with cellular microtubule formation in estrogen-sensitive cells. Carbofuran is one of the most toxic pesticides. The public knows this chemical under the trade names Furadan. s. It is a pesticide to control insects in a wide variety of field crops, such as potatoes, corn and soybeans. Many countries also banned this chemical such as the USA and Europe.
- Ethion
It affects the human acetylcholinesterase a neural enzyme and interferes and enable it to lose functions. Ethion has toxic effects by absorption from skin, ingestion and via inhalation. It causes burn at the skin. Any form of exposure can result in many inconveniences such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, dizziness, eye pain, blurred vision, and other symptoms. Severe poisoning may result in distorted coordination, slurred speech, loss of reflexes, fatigue, and weakness.
- Bifenthrin
This chemical can damage the nervous systems. This chemical for pesticide has a high toxicity to aquatic organisms. Although the unites states restrict this chemical, other countries allow it with a low concentration. Bifenthrin is poorly soluble in water and often stays in the soil.
It has the longest known residual time in a soil of insecticides on the market. It damages the soil the long run, scientist need study this further the determine the effect of chemicals on the environment. The color is white with waxy solid with a sweet smell. It is synthesized in powder, granules and pellets forms.
- Cypermethrin
It is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide which is banned the chemical in Kerala. The usage in large-scale agricultural applications as well as in consumer products is overwhelming. It serves as a fast-acting neurotoxin in insects. It also degraded on soil and plants but can be effective for weeks for indoor usage. Cypermethrin is highly toxic for animals such as fish, bees and aquatic insects. This chemical delay fetus development and also damage plants and animals, not just the targeted insects.
- Quinalphos
This reddish-brown liquid is a popular chemical for the pesticide. It is label as ‘moderately hazardous’ by the WHO. Therefore, most nation either ban or restrict this chemical in their country. Quinalphos is widely used in for crops such as wheat, rice, coffee, sugarcane, and cotton.
- Endosulfan
This banned chemicals in Kerala always find its way to enter the country. It is often smuggled from the nearby country such as Tamil Nadu under different names. Smugglers from Tamil Nadu carry endosulfan while traveling daily by bus or jeep to Idukki district. There are more than 1000 jeeps come to Kerala daily. On average there are 10 liters a day come into the country.
The government bans this agriculture chemicals and advice farmer to change this number one toxic pesticides with more mild chemicals such as Carbaryl and Quinalphos, However, farmers prefer Endosulfan due to its low cost. The ban of this chemicals due to to the environmental and human health problems, particulary in the productivity vitals.
- Monocrotophos
Monocrotophos is a coloreless crystals product with a mild ester odor. Some products is a reddish-brown solid chemical. It is mainly used as a insecticide for cotton, peanuts, sugar cane, potatoes, tomatoes. Therefore, it is very toxic. Study shows it cause genetic defects (germ cell mutagenicity). In heat of a fire, contained may explode, as it emits toxic fumes.
Monochrotophos is highly toxic for animals especially bees, birds nor human. That is why it is ban in Kerala. There are lots of cases where farmers who exposed too much of monochrotophos suffered health problems. Monocrotophos is one of the fast-acting chemicals in the world and it enter organisms body easily.
- Potassium Chlorate
This chemical is an important ingredient to make firecrackers. Kerala is a religious country with many festivals and events that use them. potassium chlorate makes firecrackers noisier, more colorful and more likely to fly higher. More importantly, it costs one-third as much as than any other chemicals.Scientists describe this substance as unstable and friction-sensitive and highly dangerous. Studies prove it is also toxic and can harm skin that comes in contact.
The government take some serious action and banned it since 1992.Chemicals can be very dangerous in high concentration, some country even banned them completely. Government draw lines to what chemicals the country can use or not. However, low-cost chemicals even with their danger still appeal to some. If companies or individuals use chemical even after the government had banned them is a very irresponsible act. That’s the list of banned chemicals in Kerala!