Agrochemicals Linked To Chronic Kidney Disease In Sri Lanka
Health & Medicine
April 15, 2013
AsianScientist (Apr. 15, 2013) ? By Dilrukshi Handunnetti ? A team of Sri Lankan and WHO scientists has linked the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease of uncertain aetiology (CKDu) on the island to indiscriminate use of agrochemicalsincluding fertilisers and pesticides.
In its final report released on February 28, the team, led by WHO researcher Shanthi Mendis, identified districts in the north, center, and east of the island and the rice-growing areas as ?most vulnerable.?
While uncertainty prevailed over the exact cause of CKDu, the number of affected people in the country had grown to 450,000, according to estimates by the health ministry, which commissioned the WHO study.
WHO representative in Sri Lanka, Firdosi Rastam Mehta, told SciDev.Net that a new form of chronic kidney disease unlinked to diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney damage or other known causes, has emerged in the identified areas...
