27 June 2008

The National Disaster Coordinating Council today confirmed the presence of 10 metric tons of endosulfan in the sunken M/V Princess of the Stars.

Endosulfan is a restricted pesticide for use in pineapple plantations. At toxic levels and following ingestion it can cause death or affect the central nervous system manifesting as headache, dizziness, tremors and convulsions and may also include cardiovascular symptoms. Blood from exposed individuals can be tested to detect presence of the poison. Treatment is supportive.

When released in the environment, endosulfan enters the air, water and soil. It does not dissolve easily in water. Most of the chemical in surface water is attached to soil particles floating in the water or attached to soil at the bottom. The small amounts of
endosulfan that dissolve in water break down over time. Depending on the conditions in the water, endosulfan may break down within 1 day or it may take several months. Some endosulfan in surface water evaporates into air and breaks down. Animals, like fishes, that live in endosulfan-contaminated waters can build up endosulfan in their bodies. The amount of endosulfan in their bodies can be several times greater than in the surrounding water.

Presently there are no observable signs of endosulfan contamination in and around the waters of the ship such as fish kills or divers getting sick.

Despite these diving and recovery operations have been aborted. There are now efforts to assess exposures of divers and possible illness in case there was endosulfan exposure.

Fish and other marine life harvested from that area are now considered not fit for human consumption until complete tests indicate that there was no endosulfan contamination. DOH has set up disease surveillance to monitor other health effects of residents in the area.