By Pankaj Chaturvedi
The mystery surrounding the suspicious deaths of 17 people in the little-known village of Buddal in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district is becoming increasingly complex. After extensive investigations, the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, part of CSIR, has concluded that the cause of death was the toxic chemical chlorphenapyr found in the bodies of the villagers.
Before this, several top laboratories and institutions such as AIIMS were engaged in uncovering the cause of death. Among the villagers, 16 individuals fell ill but were saved from death by doctors. The doctors from PGI Chandigarh, who treated the fully recovered patients, stated that they used atropine as an antidote, which yielded a 100% success rate.
However, it is surprising that no signs of organophosphate toxicity were found in any of the sick or deceased individuals. Moreover, chlorphenapyr, the chemical implicated in the deaths, is not used anywhere in the vicinity.
It’s important to understand that chlorphenapyr is a broad-spectrum pesticide used for controlling termites and crops. It is also being researched as a potential treatment for malaria. Chlorphenapyr is derived from a class of compounds produced microbially, known as halogenated pyrroles. It is a synergistic pesticide, meaning it becomes active in conjunction with another chemical to kill insects.
The active metabolite of chlorphenapyr is tralopyril, which disrupts ATP production in the mitochondria of insects. This leads to cell death in the insect and ultimately causes its demise. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a moderately toxic pesticide, although the mortality rate among poisoned individuals is quite high.
Chlorphenapyr is highly toxic to humans, birds, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. If it affects humans, the initial symptoms include sweating, followed by high fever, rhabdomyolysis, and deterioration of neurological symptoms.
Interestingly, all these symptoms were observed in the patients from Buddal. Commercially, chlorphenapyr is used for termite control and crop protection. Its potential use in malaria vector control has also been evaluated. Laboratory studies have found chlorphenapyr effective against multi-pesticide-resistant mosquitoes.
However, when the outbreak occurred in Buddal, teams from several leading institutions, including AIIMS Delhi, rushed to the site. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh had already stated in the second week of January that a significant amount of cadmium was found in the deceased bodies, attributing the deaths to this.
On January 24, a report from PGI Chandigarh revealed that many heavy metals were found in the bodies of the sick individuals, with levels significantly exceeding normal limits. Experts suggest that these heavy metals act as poisons. Subsequently, samples from the patients were also sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, DRDO Gwalior, and other reputable labs.
In light of this illness, all shops selling pesticides and agricultural materials in the district were sealed, and samples were collected, but neither heavy metals nor any residues of the recently identified chlorphenapyr were found. Moreover, there was no evidence of purchasing this chemical from online stores.
So, how did this poison end up here?
Buddal village is nestled in the lap of the Himalayas in the Pir Panjal range, with many water streams flowing through it. The tributary of the Chenab River, Ansi, passes through Buddal. The most likely scenario is that heavy metals entered the human body through water. Buddal and its surroundings have numerous rivers and small streams. Additionally, there are several “sar” or ponds, including Chandan, Sukh, Neel, and Handu.
A large population here relies on springs or these natural streams for water. Given that this area has deposits of coal, lime, bauxite, iron ore, and bentonite, illegal mining has been a significant issue. Thus, the presence of mining residues in waterways could potentially explain the arrival of this disaster.
There is also speculation about whether an agency or pharmaceutical company might be secretly and illegally experimenting with chlorphenapyr on malaria and mosquitoes, choosing the poor, uneducated laborers of this obscure village for their tests.
A bitter truth is that inexpensive, non-authentic pesticides manufactured abroad are being sold rampantly in remote small towns across the country. Farmers, lured by low prices and miraculous results, buy them without a second thought, often without any proof of purchase.
Like many other villages in the country, Buddal is rife with rumors and superstitions following the numerous deaths. Various teams from the central and state governments are currently working there, facing the challenge of identifying the true causes of the illness. Many people fear that chemical terrorism may have been used, possibly originating from across the border or by anti-national elements.
- – The author has been writing about the environment and science for the past 40 years.
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