U.N. panel urges ban on endosulfan

File photo a man showing his skin condition reportedly caused by endosulfan in Mangalore. A key U.N. panel has urged governments to ban the pesticide that can cause nerve damage to humans and wildlife. Photo: Sudipto Mondal

A key U.N. science panel has urged governments to ban the widely used pesticide endosulfan that can cause nerve damage to humans and wildlife.

The 31 scientists on the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee want endosulfan placed on a list of chemicals that should be phased out of use.

A spokesman for the U.N. Environment Programme that hosts the panel says governments will decide whether to follow the recommendations at a meeting of signatories to the so-called Stockholm Convention on pesticides in April 2011.

Michael Stanley-Jones said on Tuesday that some 60 countries have already banned endosulfan, including the United States which is not party to the Stockholm Convention.

Endosulfan is used on some fruits and vegetables as well as cotton.