Death and misery passed on
thousands of innocent people living in the North Central Province (NCP)
of Sri Lanka
Ben Silva UK
Media reports (Island and Amarasara) have indicated that thousands
of Sri Lankans living in the North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka
are facing death and suffering from kidney disease, perhaps due to consumption
water contaminated with heavy metals and toxic weed killers. I wish
to thank Dr. Prasanna Cooray and others mentioned in his article for
bringing this scandal to the public domain. The poisoning of people
would cause large scale human suffering and economic hardship to the
victims and their families. The harm to humans would be similar to the
damage done by Asbestos. We have to help these people and if necessary,
the people need to be given land else where in the country. Even one
person ill in a family would be a burden and the poor families will
face extremely harsh conditions unnecessarily.
We should investigate the root cause of the problem and eliminate the
factors that cause the problem.
In my view, if adequate control measures cannot be used to eliminate
the toxins in the water, then these chemicals should be banned from
importation and use. I believe the toxins should be banned from use
until the situation is stable and preventative measures are taken.
The plight of the people from NCP face should be brought to the attention
of the nation and also to the authorities. As heavy metals can get into
the food chain with disastrous consequences, the issues need immediate
attention.
A search on the internet indicated the toxic effect of the substances
found in the water and is given below.
Heavy metals
Heavy metals into the human body can bring about mental retardation
and mental health problems. Toxicity of heavy metals is well known and
immediate action has to be taken so that humans are not poisoned by
heavy metals.
Propanil
Several organs are affected by propanil and its metabolites. Liver
and kidney damage are likely after long-term exposure. Dermatitis (rashes)
and sensitization (allergies) are possible [1].
Chlorpyrifos
Chlorpyrifos is toxic to humans.
LONG TERM: Continual absorption at intermediate dosage may cause influenza-like
illness which includes symptoms like weakness, anorexia and malaise.
Prolonged or repeated over exposure to the product Lorsban may result
in delayed liver and or kidney damage. Other chronic exposure effects
are behavioural neurotoxicity and organo-phosphate induced delayed neuropathy
[2].
The source of heavy metal poisoning has to be found as soon as possible.
Many studies have shown the harmful effects of weed killers on humans
The harmful weed killers has to be banned from importation and use and
alternative methods of weed killers need to be found, such as burning.
Possible short term solutions
1. Use wells that are not contaminated.
2. Stop eating fish or plants that are contaminated.
3. Form self help groups to help each other and also to disseminate
information.
Groups could help each other in digging wells or boreholes.
4. Construct deep boreholes for water.
Seek help from IC for decontamination.
5. Provide transported or piped water.
6. Provide bottled water.
7. Transport water or use bottled water for drinking.
8. Seek effective water filters
9. ref: http://curriculum.toxicology.wikispaces.net/2.2.7.3.2+Propanil?f=print
a) Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals
in vivo, minimising the formation of metHb. In vitro data supports the
use of ascorbic acid in the management of acute propanil poisoning.
b) using oral activated charcoal
http://curriculum.toxicology.wikispaces.net/3.2.2.2.3+Activated+charcoal
c) Decontamination of drinking water by using rice husk ash-based water
filter.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=rice+husk+decontamination&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
10. The above suggest that consuming food with Vitamin C could reduce
the damage. Further, the above literature suggest the use of activated
charcoal to filter the water.
Possible long term solution
Reservoirs to filter the water
Banning of toxic weed killers
Extract from article in Amarasara
Through his research, Prof. Bandara has shown that cadmium, (iron and
lead) are present (some in very) high concentrations in the water sources,
soil and even in the ‘nelum’ (lotus) rhizomes and ‘Thilapia’
fish in the affected areas. Similarly, research by Perera and Wickremarachchi
have shown the weedicide propanil and the insecticide chlorpyriphos
in excess amounts in water. In addition, most parts of the NCP also
have high concentrations of fluoride in the ground water, which has
attributed to a condition known as dental fluorosis that causes discolouration
of teeth, a condition that has affected the people of these areas for
generations (though not lethal).
References
1. Pesticide information profile
http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/extoxnet/metiram-propoxur/propanil-ext.html
2.http://www.netspeed.com.au/rdi/cas/chlor2.htm
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