Rice mills pose health hazard

Raja Waidyasekera - Tissamaharama special corr

The rice mills set up all over the Hambantota district in a haphazard manner pose health threats and result in poor sanitary conditions, the medical sector says.

Although it is prohibited to set up rice mills in densely populated areas, this is not observed by those who set up rice mills.

There are thousands of rice mills in the Hambantota district but except for a few rice mills, all others are set up violating rules and regulations.

The medical sector says that the Hambantota district is an agricultural district thus there is a large number of rice mills.

Pediatricians say paddy bran released from the rice mills cause respiratory diseases in babies and children, and other doctors say that paddy bran is injurious to health and cause respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis in adults.

The Central Environment Authority that regulates mega development projects in the Hambantota districts are not taking any action regarding this, residents say.