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Friday, July 04, 2008
Health organization can't fully ban endosulfan
MANILA -- Despite the danger it poses, the World Health Organization (WHO) is not inclined to impose a total ban yet on the endosulfan pesticide, which was found inside the sunken MV Princess of the Stars.
"There is a global move to ban endosulfan, but we are not at this stage to make that call," WHO country representative Raman Velayudhan said.
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Velayudhan explained that some industries still require the use of endosulfan and they need to study first if they should now call for its banning.
Urine and blood samples taken from the 68 divers involved in the search and retrieval operations for the sunken ferry in Romblon waters will be sent to Malaysia for biochemical testing, Velayudhan said.
Aside from Malaysia, Velayudhan said they are also looking at Indonesia and New Zealand to do the laboratory tests on samples taken from the divers.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) earlier reported that 10 metric tons (MTs) of endosulfan were among the cargoes found inside the MV Princess of the Stars.
Bayer Crop Science Philippines, a division of drug manufacturer Bayer AG, said earlier that they have ceased from producing the endosulfan because of its toxicity.
The discovery of the endosulfan inside the capsized ferry has caused alarm. The said chemical was owned by Del Monte Philippines for its pineapple plantation in Cagayan de Oro City. Endosulfan is used to prevent discoloration in pineapples.
MV Princess of the Stars sank off Sibuyan Island in Romblon province last June 21 at the height of Typhoon Frank (international codename: Fengshen). More than 800 passengers and crew were onboard the said vessel when it capsized.
Rescue operations have been suspended after authorities found that the ship's cargo hold was carrying endosulfan.
Meanwhile, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal appealed for a sobriety and objectivity on the investigation into the ferry tragedy.
Vidal also asked the parties involved in the unfortunate incident not to blame each other as it will only deepen the divisions.
"Our nation is in pain, and we want to make sense out of the tragedy. However, the pain will not go away if we start blaming each other or come out with superficial conclusions. This may only deepen our divisions," he said.
At the same time, the prelate urged the government to review, update, and strictly implement maritime laws and practices, weather forecasting, disaster prevention and rescue and retrieval operations.
"To private and public agencies, let the truth emerge with no preconditions so we may finally learn from our tragedies. A sober examination of our motivations, policies and management guidelines is the first step towards truth and healing," he said.
Vidal also assured the families of the victims that they will continue to pray for them to be able to recover from their loss. "To those who have lost their loved ones, no amount of human words can assuage your pain, but we assure you that we are with you in your journey of suffering," he said. (MSN/FP/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (July 4, 2008 issue)
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