Kochi, Oct 27: The Indian Medical Association has found enough evidence to believe that the aerial spraying of endosulphan over cashew plantation in Kasargod's Padre village was responsible for the prevalence of congenital malformations and malignancies in the area.

A four-member IMA team, which visited the village last month, has made a preliminary assessment of the health problems of the villagers in the area and submitted its report. The high morbidity due to respiratory and dermatological illnesses and the high prevalence of congenital malformations, central nervous systems afflictions and malignancies were evidently clear.

Looking at all the possible causes, the suspicion falls on the widespread aerial spraying of endosulphan, a toxic organochlorine pesticide, in the area for more than two decades, before it was stopped following a high court stay two years ago, IMA sources said. The IMA has urged the medical fraternity to scientifically evaluate the role of endosulphan in the cause of the tragedy in the village on the Kerala-Karnataka border and to ensure economic support and their rehabilitation.

Though the team had conducted only a preliminary fact finding study and not attempted an epidemiological evaluation of the situation, it could find enough anecdotal evidences to believe that there was 'sufficient justification' in the issues raised by the villagers, the sources said. Bureau Report