The Indian Chemical Council (ICC) has provided information as sought by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) on nine new chemicals included under the Stockholm Convention of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP).

ICC informed that Alpha Hexachlorocyclohexane, Beta Hexachlorocyclohexane and Lindane are related chemicals. While production on agricultural grade Lindane has been stopped in India, Kanoria Chemicals and India Pesticides Ltd, Lucknow, produce pharma grade.

As per ICC inquiries, Alpha Hexachlorocyclohexane, Beta Hexachlorocyclohexane and Pentacholorobenzene are not manufactured or used in India, Chlordecone is neither manufactured nor used as a pesticide or industrial chemical. As regards Hexabromodiphenyl ether, Heptabromodiphenyl ether, Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and Pentabromodiphenyl ether, there is information that during 2010, a quantity of 12650 kg was imported from China, the ICC said.

According to the DCPC, the nine chemicals were added to the Stockholm Convention on August 26, 2010.

?These will come into force in India once India deposits an instrument of ratification, acceptance and approval with respect to these chemicals,? the DCPC had said.