Ignorance is low IQ, cancer

generations of people who live near the Dhapa dumpsite in East Kolkata might have underdeveloped brains and weak immunity. Courtesy: heavy exposure to persistent organic pollutants. This is the claim of a team comprising researchers from India, Japan and the US.

But noose tightens

Endosulfan came close to being banned at the fourth meeting of the Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP). The meeting was held in Geneva from October 13 to 17. It saw 24 of the 28 countries vote for inclusion of endosulfan in the treaty's list of chemicals that need to be phased out. India and China refused to vote. India cited lack of evidence against endosulfan as the reason, while Sierra Leone abstained from voting without giving reason. Germany being the chair also abstained. The committee concluded

News - In short

spoiling act A group of activists has alleged that a few countries led by Canada are sabotagingun's Rotterdam Convention. The ten-year old convention aims to control global trade in hazardous chemicals. Environmental, gender, labour and health groups from India and abroad have, in a joint statement, said the countries, including India and many other developing countries, are blocking implementation of the convention that 120 countries have ratified.

Sunderbans polluted

Persistent organic pollutants found

Persistent organic pollutants can render vaccines ineffective

researchers from usa and Denmark have confirmed an association between increased exposure to persistent organic pollutants (pops) like polychlorinated biphenyls (pcb) and decreased antibody production in children vaccinated against tetanus and diphtheria. Action against pops was initiated in the early 1970s.

India decides to ratify POPs

On October 20, 2005, the Indian government finally gave its approval to ratify and accede to the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (pops). The move came after months of dithering by various ministries to ratify the treaty, which aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of pops.

POP, and we opt out

the news is out. India is close to a final decision on ratifying the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (pops) and the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (pic). A note to ratify the latter is already with the Union cabinet; one for the former is being prepared. On the face of it the news is welcome. But wait till you read the fine print.

POP's puppetry

The Union ministry of environment and forests (moef) has decided to ratify the Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants (pops) and the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent. The Stockholm convention, which came into force on May 17, 2004, aims to reduce and eliminate 12 hazardous pops. India had signed the treaty in March 2002 but had been indecisive about ratification.

POPs culture

Food products in the South Asian region (sar) are contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (pops). So claims a recently released report by New Delhi-based non-governmental organisation, Toxics Link. As it points out, the Stockholm Convention on pops has been able to do little in South Asian countries to control the release of 12 pops -- commonly known as the dirty dozen -- into the environment.

Action plan

even as the Indian government continues to dither over whether or not it should ratify the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (pops), China has taken a step forward in this direction. On June 8, officials of the country's State Environmental Protection Administration (sepa) revealed that an application for the ratification of the treaty had been submitted to the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.