Chlorpyrifos

Latest News

• 2025 COPs (Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm Conventions): Scheduled in Geneva (April 28–May 9) to address hazardous chemicals, including chlorpyrifos, amid global calls for stricter regulation or bans.

About Chlorpyrifos

• Classification:

  • WHO: Classified as “moderately hazardous” (Class II).

  • Use in India: Approved for 18 crops (e.g., cotton, paddy, sugarcane), despite bans in 40+ countries (EU, U.S., Canada).

• Health & Environmental Risks:

  • Neurotoxicity: Linked to irreversible brain damage in children, developmental delays, and reduced IQ.

  • Reproductive Toxicity: Affects fertility and fetal development.

  • Environmental Persistence: High mobility contaminates water, soil, and distant ecosystems.

  • Bioaccumulation: Enters food chains, threatening biodiversity.

Global & National Advocacy

• Pesticide Action Network (PAN) India Demands:

  1. Rotterdam Convention (Annex III): Require Prior Informed Consent (PIC) for international trade.

  2. Stockholm Convention (Annex A): Global ban with possible exemptions.

  3. Push for Alternatives: Safer, affordable options exist (e.g., biopesticides, integrated pest management).

• Regulatory Gaps:

  • Unauthorized Use: 2022 report exposed illegal use of chlorpyrifos and paraquat in India, highlighting enforcement failures.

Regulatory Framework in India

• Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC):

  • Role: Regulates import, manufacture, and sale of insecticides under the Insecticides Act, 1968.

  • Mandate: Ensure safety for humans, animals, and the environment.

  • Criticism: Slow to phase out hazardous pesticides; accused of prioritizing agro-industry over public health.

Key Takeaways

• Global Momentum: 2025 COPs could push for stricter international controls.

• Health Crisis: Urgent need to phase out chlorpyrifos to protect children and ecosystems.

• India’s Challenge: Balancing agricultural needs with public health; requires robust enforcement and transition to safer alternatives.

• Advocacy Focus: PAN India’s dual push for Rotterdam and Stockholm listings highlights the pesticide’s transboundary threat.

FAQs

1. What is chlorpyrifos?

   • Ans: A broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide used against pests like termites and beetles.

2. Which law governs pesticide regulation in India?

   • Ans: The Insecticides Act, 1968, and Insecticides Rules, 1971.

3. Why is chlorpyrifos controversial?

   • Ans: Linked to severe health risks and environmental harm, yet remains legal in India despite global bans.