Persistence, toxicological effect and ecological issues of endosulfan – A review

Abstract

Endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, is categorized as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Stockholm Convention and phased out globally. In this review, the distribution, toxicity, and interactive effect of endosulfan isomers and their remediation approaches are discussed. The occurrence of endosulfan residues in various environmental compartments (air, soil, and water) and biota (plants and animals) reported during 2016–2020 confirms its persistence and biomagnification probability in the ecosystem. The distribution pattern of endosulfan residues in the ecosystem is indicating both historical and recent input of endosulfan in the farmland. The existing literature on the ecotoxicological effects of endosulfan highlights various negative impacts on the non-targeted species, including plants, algae, aquatic species, terrestrial organisms, and mammals, including humans. Significantly, the toxicity of endosulfan could increase its intensity while interacting with other coexisting chemicals. Finally, this review suggests the distribution and persistence of endosulfan residues in the ecosystem could pose a potential risk to living organisms, including humans.