New Delhi: The Indian government has issued a draft notification imposing a complete ban on paraquat, a highly toxic chemical herbicide, with immediate effect.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare issued the draft notification on Tuesday, reported Kisan Tak, India Today Digital’s sister.
Stakeholders will have 30 days to submit objections and offer suggestions before the order is finalised.
One of the most controversial herbicides, paraquat dichloride was originally synthesised by German scientists in 1882, while its potent herbicidal properties were discovered in 1955 by scientists in the UK.
Subsequently, it was banned in more than 70 countries, including Germany and the UK, due to toxicity concerns.
However, paraquat continued to be legally sprayed by Indian farmers despite many toxicologists, doctors and agricultural experts calling for a ban.
Finally, the Centre is set to prohibit the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of paraquat dichloride under Section 27 of the Insecticides Act, 1968.
How deadly is paraquat?
Paraquat is considered to be one of the deadliest chemicals because there is no specific antidote, and even a small quantity can prove fatal.
As for humans, if paraquat enters the body, it can damage the lungs and cause irreversible fibrosis that leaves patients unable to breathe. It can also severely damage the kidneys, liver, skin and eyes.
In such cases, treatment is largely supportive rather than curative. Hence, paraquat poisoning leads to a high mortality rate.
Paraquat affects farmers and farm labourers, who can suffer severe side-effects. Accidental swallowing, breathing in fine spray mists, or prolonged skin contact with wounds can lead to deaths .
