Confirmed Pesticide Deaths in Warangal on the rise

As a yet another evidence of failure of Green revolution doctrine of pesticides being medicines for plants, death toll is on the rise in Warangal district. A Civil Society Fact Finding Team released its findings about farmers’ death due to exposure to pesticides in Warangal District. This happened even as the POPs meeting was concluded in the first week of March, amidst reports of Indian government’s willingness to sign the POPs treaty.

The Fact Finding Team comprised of Toxics Link, a national research group, Sarvodaya Youth Organization, a Warangal based volunatary organsiation, Centre for Resource Education, Hyderabad, Community Health Cell, a Bangalore based professional group and a representative from media. The team set out with the objective of investigating the circumstances in which deaths in Warangal district took place in mid January this year after it had visited the villages in October 2001 to ascertain the authenticity of the reports.

The report substantiates what International Centre for Pesticide Safety, the IPCS/WHO project on the epidemiological surveillance of acute pesticide poisonings found that like most other chemicals, pesticides have the potential to produce both acute and chronic injury to human health. The information collected from family members of victims confirms that these deaths due to pesticides spraying. Acute effects generally occured shortly after acute exposure to a single dose or to multiple doses within a short time (e.g 24 hours). Clinical features of acute poisoning cover a wide range of reactions, from minor effects, such as eye or skin local irritations, to more severe systemic effects, which led to death. According to the circumstances of exposure, acute poisonings are categorised as intentional, and unintentional.

It has been estimated that in developing countries occupational exposure accounts for about 70 percent of all severe unintentional poisoning cases. It mainly occurs as a result of poor work practices, often due to lack of personal protective equipment, says Madhumita Dutta of Toxics Link. Accidental poisonings among the general population occur as a result of poor compliance to safety rules and label instructions. Epidemic poisoning may result from eating highly contaminated food or beverages. Intentional poisonings (homicides or suicide attempts) account for a large proportion (70-80%) of all pesticide poisonings especially in some developing countries. The world wide incidence of acute poisoning cases is still unknown

According to Andhra Pradesh Farmer’s Association 20 people died apart from those under treatment in different hospitals while spraying pesticides like Curacorn, Asetaph, Thiodene and others. Although the issue is being sidelined on the pretext of it being a manifestation of over-zealous farmers and ignorance of handling procedures, the facts belie their contention. As many as 40 people were hospitalised and 12 died, according to the Joint Director, Agriculture, Warangal district. “This is gross under estimation. From our preliminary survey and conversations, we believe there could be more than 500 deaths and more than 1000 exposed to pesticides during this period. Most cases are unreported”, said Mr Damoder of Sarvodaya Youth Organisation.

The issue is yet to catch the attention of media. The victims are entitled to compensation under “apathbandhu”, scheme of the government, but they have not been granted. Local farmers and media persons say, this is an annual phenomenon and there is a likelihood of similar incidences in other districts. The problem seems to be bigger than what is apparent. “This is just tip of an ice berg. This has to be investigated further with an in-depth health study. It is quite clear that there is serious health problem lurking in the area, especially amongst women who have reported various gynecological problems.” Said Dr Rajan Patil, an epidemiologist with Community Health Cell.

“Government apathy is apparent from the fact that even after 6 months of the incidents, the laboratory reports from the forensic department is still awaited” pointed out Mr Narasimha Reddy of Centre for Resource Education.