Rajarata ravaged by agrochemical hazards

Wednesday, 29 June 2011 01:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shezna Shums

The widespread usage of agrochemicals with a high content of calcium arsenic is suspected as the leading cause for kidney and other medical problems recorded among the people in the Rajarata area.

To date records show that 20,000 people have died following kidney problems and there are over another 20,000 people suffering from kidney and other medical ailments, highlighted Dr. Channa Jayasumana.

Dr. Jayasumana is a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine University of Rajarata and has compiled a studying which shows that the agro chemicals in the country contain high amounts of arsenic and mercury, which is in turn affecting the health of the people, including that of many farmers in the area.

This report has been presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Science and Technology; however there has been no official response regarding the report and its findings.

However, on an unofficial level, Dr. Jayasumana has received a good response from the officials; nevertheless it is yet to be seen if any action will result from this report.

Noting that certain people have been making contradictory statements regarding the report, he urged the Government to stop the importation of agrochemicals containing arsenic and mercury content.

Given that importing of agrochemicals containing any quantity of arsenic and mercury is illegal, he requested that when agrochemicals, fungicides and pesticides are imported, they should be free from such harmful elements.

Although not under his purview, Dr. Jayasumana added that organic fertiliser is a good alternative to chemical fertiliser in the cultivation of agriculture lands.

Dr. Jayasumana asserted that the water used by the public should be boiled beforehand. “Farmers in the Rajarata area were not aware of the high levels of arsenic or mercury in the fertiliser they were using, however now they are being educated on this matter and the precautionary steps that should be taken.”

Kidney ailments and other health issues are being recorded because of the alleged arsenic and mercury content in the soil as well as the water in the North Central Province.

Dr. Jayasumana and Dr. Lasitha Rajakaruna conducted the study to find the root cause of the killer kidney disease in the North Central Province, when they discovered that arsenic and mercury elements were found in the soil and water.

Previously it was also highlighted that the cause of many people falling ill was because of fluoride, calcium and cadmium and the use of aluminium pans, however these theories were not scientifically proven.

It was also highlighted in the study that the water in the North Central Province was found to have high levels of calcium sulphate and magnesium sulphate, found to be a factor in renal diseases.

Deforestation and the haphazard use of agrochemicals have resulted in water contamination as well, it was reported.