Context: India has reportedly opposed the inclusion of a hazardous insecticide under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, an international environmental treaty to protect human health and the environment.

Meaning of the context: The insecticide, Chlorpyrifos, is a chemical linked to adverse effects on neurodevelopment, reduced birth size, lung and prostate cancer upon chronic exposure. Chlorpyrifos has been registered in India under the Insecticides Act since 1977. In 2016-17, chlorpyrifos was the most frequently used pesticide in India, accounting for 9.4 per cent of the total insecticide consumption, according to a report by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN).

Learning Corner:

• An international environmental treaty adopted in 2001, entered into force in 2004.
• Aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) — toxic chemicals that persist, bioaccumulate, and cause adverse effects to human health and the environment.
• Objectives:
  • Protect human health and the environment from harmful POPs.
  • Eliminate or restrict production and use of intentionally produced POPs.
  • Reduce or eliminate releases from unintentional production.
  • Ensure safe disposal and handling of POP waste.
• POPs are toxic chemical substances that:
  • Persist in the environment for long periods.
  • Bioaccumulate through the food web. POPs are lipophilic, which means that they accumulate in the fatty tissue of living animals and human beings.
  • Travel long distances via air and water.
  • Cause serious health issues — cancers, birth defects, immune & reproductive disorders.

Key Provisions:

• The Stockholm Convention lists chemicals in three annexes: Annex A lists chemicals to be eliminated; Annex B lists chemicals to be restricted; and Annex C calls for minimizing unintentional production and release of listed chemicals.
• Governance: Overseen by the Conference of the Parties (COP), with the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) assessing new chemicals.
• The list is updated regularly (now includes 30+ chemicals).
• Parties must develop National Implementation Plans (NIPs).

India and the Convention:

• India ratified the Convention in 2006.
• In 2022, India banned the use of several additional POPs under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) are involved in implementation.

Additional information – 

• The “Dirty Dozen” refers to the initial 12 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) identified in the Stockholm Convention, including:
  • Pesticides: DDT, Aldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, etc.
  • Industrial chemicals: PCBs.
  • By-products: Dioxins, Furans.

Other International Conventions dealing with POPs and Pesticides:

• Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. 
  • Aim to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals and contribute safe use.
• The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. 
  • Aims to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects resulting from the generation, management, transboundary movements and disposal of hazardous and other wastes.

Source : Down To Earth