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Zhixiong Zhuang Aruna Dewan

India

updated May 31, 2011 by Nick Thorp

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Country Correspondents
Dr. PV Mohanan


Read Dr. K.S. Rao's article on the Diplomate of American Board of Toxicology program coming to India.

Read Dr. Mohanan's interview with Prof. Rana- Vice Chancellor of Bundelkhand University

Read Dr. Mohanan's interview with Prof. Gupta, patron and founder of the Indian Society of Toxicology

Read Dr. P.B Murthy's review of Indian CROs, Capacity and Knowledge.


Overview


View India in a larger map Legend: = Government Agency, = NGO, = University, = Professional Society, = Poison Control Center, = Toxic Site.

The Indian economy is surging ahead and the current decade has witnessed extensive industrial growth in India, although agriculture still remains the main occupation for a large segment of the Indian population. According to the 2001 census, the employment of women in agriculture and household industries has increased remarkably as compared to the 1991 census. Though per hectare use of pesticides has been reported to be much less when compared to developed countries, pesticide exposures, both acute and chronic, continue to cause serious health problems to farm workers. Employment of women translates into higher exposures for vulnerable groups, including children. There are vast populations in India who are being exposed to arsenic contaminated ground water. Also of concern is chemical waste dumped in the country in the guise of recycling. This has added to the already existing burden of infectious diseases, compounded by widespread malnutrition. Environmental groups backed by media are playing a significant role in creating public awareness and building up pressure on policy makers. Some recent examples include the controversy related to pesticide residues in soft drinks and asbestos related hazards in ship breaking yards. Regulatory bodies are implementing stringent laws, and analytical facilities in private and Government institutions are being upgraded to meet international standards.

Most of the regulations concerning pharmaceuticals, food additives, preservatives, air and water pollutants, industrial chemicals and pesticides rely on toxicological data, and toxicity testing is becoming more and more elaborate. Experimental toxicological research in India has been following in the footsteps of its western counterparts, and research is being carried out in universities throughout the country. The country is also upgrading its capabilities to keep up with global standards for measuring and monitoring chemicals at ppb levels.

India has lagged behind in an important aspect of toxicology. Practice and teaching of clinical toxicology has yet to find its due place in the medical curriculum and health care system. Pesticide poisoning continues to take a heavy toll on human lives. There is limited clinical toxicological research on acute and chronic poisoning due to pesticides and industrial chemicals. Poison Information Centers which act as focal points of consultation and information dissemination for emergency treatment of poisoning are few and have yet to make their presence felt in this country of more than a billion people. Training in medical management of chemical emergencies is rudimentary and only in the past one year have programmes on advanced HAZMAT life support been started for emergency physicians. Toxicology training for paramedics and pre-hospital management of chemical exposures is almost non-existent. Research on occupational and environmental human exposure and bio monitoring needs to be strengthened.

Toxicology has made considerable strides in India, although further progress is necessary.

A version of this article was published in Information Resources in Toxicology, 4th Edition, Shruti Patel and Aruna Dewan, Copyright Elsevier (2009).


Government Agencies


Non-Government Agencies

  • Sheratgarh Environmental Society (SES)
    Premkunj, Adarsh Colony
    Shehratgarh
    Siddarthnagar District - 272 205


Universities

  • A P S University, Rewa
    Post Graduate programme - M Sc (Env Biology), M Phil (Env Biology)
    P G Diploma - Env Impact Assessment - D L P
    P G Diploma in Pollution Management
  • Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
    Post Graduate Programme - M Sc (Env Science)
    Vidya Vihar, Rae Bareli Road, Lucknow 226025
    Tel: 0522-440820, 441888
    EPABX: 440826/827
    Fax: 0522-440821,440822
  • Bharati Vidyapeeth Bhavan
    Post Graduate programme - M Sc (Env Science)
    Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Pune-411030, Maharastra
    Tel: 435701, 348520
    Fax: 0212-439121
  • Bharti Vidyapeeth, Pune Maharashtra
    Post Graduate programme - M Sc (Env Science)
  • B B R A University Lucknow Uttarpradesh
    Post Graduate Programme - M Sc (Env Science)
  • Dr R M L Avadh University
    Post Graduate Programme - M Sc (Env Science)
    Post Box No. 17
    Faizabad Uttarpradesh
  • Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
    Post Graduate programme - M Sc (Env Science)
  • Marathwara University, Aurangabad Maharashtra
    Post Graduate programme - M Sc (Env Science)
  • Vinoba Bhave University, Hazariabaug- 825301 Jharkhand
    Post Graduate programme - M Sc (Env Science)
    Tel: 06546-64279, 62342, 64628, 52081
    Fax: 06546-64279


Professional Societies


Poison Control Centers


Databases


Miscellaneous Resources


Key Publications

Journals


Monographs


Legal Links


About India


Multilateral Organization Contacts


Literature References from TOXLINE (India)


Related Pages From Toxipedia

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