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Agrochemical use: Committee to study impact on humans

18 Dec 2021

  • Study to focus on chronic kidney disease
By Aazam Ameen A new committee established last week, following a request by the Agriculture Ministry and headed by Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena, will study the adverse effects of chemical fertilisers on humans, The Sunday Morning learns. According to the Health Ministry, the study will also look at the impact caused by pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides/weedicides as well. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Health Ministry Secretary Dr. S.H. Munasinghe explained that the high rates of chronic kidney disease have a detrimental effect on the country across multiple areas. “Chronic kidney disease is a real burden to the country. In addition to affecting the health of our population, a significant portion of the health budget is spent on this issue,” he said. He also noted that various theories on the use of agrochemicals exist, with some claiming that they may be carcinogenic, along with the potential to cause various other diseases. Therefore, the Committee seeks to come to a conclusion on whether such theories are true or false before the necessary precautions are taken. Additionally, Dr. Munasinghe clarified that it is a committee that has been appointed and not a task force, contrary to several media reports. Speaking at the special meeting held on 15 December with the participation of Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to discuss the matter, the Agriculture Minister said that although a number of organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), have confirmed that farmers are suffering from kidney diseases and cancers due to the use of chemical fertilisers and agrochemicals, the Health Ministry is yet to issue an official response in that regard. He also noted that the Health Ministry had not confirmed the use of chemical fertilisers and agrochemicals as being unhealthy, which has in turn become an impediment to the implementation of the Government’s policy on green agriculture. Meanwhile, Rambukwella stated that a proper study having not been conducted on the number of kidney and cancer patients increasing on a daily basis is problematic. He also said that since most of the kidney patients have been reported from areas cultivated with water supplied from the Mahaweli (through the Mahaweli Irrigation Project), it should be studied whether Mahaweli water is a cause for these conditions.   


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