Results of tests carried out on rice samples to ascertain whether they are contaminated with arsenic by the use of pesticides is expected tomorrow, an official of the Agriculture Department said yesterday.
The tests are being carried out by the Industrial Technical Institute, Atomic Energy Authority and the Institute of Fundamental Studies following concerns that the rice was contaminated with arsenic following the use of pesticides.
Batalagoda Rice Institute Director Nimal Dissanayake told the Sunday Times that rice samples sent by the Institute gathered from various parts of the island are being tested.
The tests were ordered after a group of research scientists from the Universities of Kelaniya and Rajarata said they were strongly suspecting the main contributing factor for the chronic kidney disease in the North Central Province was the high level of arsenic in rice.
They also have come up with the hypothesis that agro chemicals with traces of arsenic have affected the rice. “We have sent rice samples to the accredited authorities as the Minister of Agriculture is keen to get an accurate picture of this research. We are not sure as to how the scientists have conducted the research and decisions cannot be made until we get a result from the accredited labs,” Mr. Dissanayake said.
He said though chemicals were not produced in Sri Lanka some formulations are done in Sri Lanka. “The ingredients are brought and mixed with chemicals in our country,” he added.
A gazette notification states that no agro pesticides should have arsenic included since it is very poisonous, he said.
Meanwhile Customs Director General Sudharma Karunaratne told the Sunday Times that his officials were carrying out investigations on private warehouses where chemicals were stored, but declined to elaborate. |
E-mail
