Presence of Chemical Nerve Agent in Agriculture Lands of India: Critical Information on Pesticide Degradation in the Environment?

Some intermediate products of environmental degradation of organophosphate (OP) are reported as potential neurotoxic chemicals. The fate and biogeochemical dynamics of such chemicals are little known, especially in Indian agricultural soils. This study analysed the presence of secondary metabolites and qualitatively developed a profile of organic compounds from the soils collected from mango plantations in Kerala, India. Samples were extracted with acetone and the chemical profile was developed with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer. We identified the presence of ethyl-3methyl cyclohexyl methyl Phosphonate (Ethyl-3CyMP) which is listed as a degradation product of chemical warfare agent in the database of Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapon. The presence of this chemical compound poses ecological and human health risks due to its neurotoxic effects. Even though cyclohexyl methyl phosphonates groups were identified from various regions in the world, this may be the first report from India.