Arsenic problem to be nailed

*Final Parliamentary Committee report awaited

*Agrochemicals contain high content

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The government will implement a national policy on Arsenic, after the final report of the Parliamentary Committee appointed to look into the Arsenic issue is recieved, Agriculture Ministry Secretary W Sakalasooriya said.

He was responding to the Daily News, making reference to a press conference held earlier in the day by the Pivithuru Hetak Organisation which alleged that the government has not taken measures to strengthen the law to take action against companies importing agrochemicals.

Sakalasooriya said the Agriculture Minister was totally focussed about this and the problem could not be solved overnight. A Parliamentary Committee has met three times and the final report would be issued at the next meeting.

Addressing the media at the Dharmawijaya Foundation, JHU Parliamentarian Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera said the final WHO report on Investigation and Evaluation of Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Aetiology in Sri Lanka has been released and the report states that arsenic excretion in urine was significantly higher in healthy subjects living in the endemic area compared to those living in the control area. Ven. Rathana Thera said arsenic not only causes kidney disease, but also causes heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other health problems.

Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead and agrochemicals cause Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) which is prevalent the North Central Province. “One or more pesticide residues,such as, 2,4-D, Glyphosate, Chlophyrifios, Carbary 1 were above reference levels in 31.6 percent of people with CKD. Arsenic is the number one cancer causing substance and is also responsible for many other diseases.” said Rajarata University, Faculty of Medicine Lecturer Channa Jayasumana.

He also said that arsenic content in agrochemicals is very high due to market competition among agro - chemical importers. These importers add more arsenic to their products to make them more powerful and to keep up the competition with others. Measures are required to put a stop to this practice.

Prof. Priyani Paranagama of the Chemistry Division of the Kelaniya University, Prof. Mala Amarasighe of the Kelaniya University, Dr.Mangala Silva of the Ruhuna Universty and Desha Hithaishi National Movement Secretary Wasantha Bandara also addressed the gathering.