Cadmium deposits cause of kidney failure in NCP

By Saliya Kumara Gunasekara (Lakbimanews)

(May 02, 2010) Arecent research carried out by Prof. Sarath Bandara of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya has revealed that staples such as rice, grains, vegetables and curd produced in the North Central Province (NCP) contained Cadmium deposits and this is believed to be the reason for severe renal failure cases among those living in the NCP.

The reason for the percolation of Cadmium is due to the use of imported phosphate fertilizer, the research has found.

“Kidney failure is on the increase in the North Central region. Analysts were of the view that the use of phosphate must be restricted in order to solve this problem. If people begin to use Eppawala Rock- Phosphate, a considerable reduction of Cadmium being mixed into the environment can be avoided” says Prof Sarath Bandara.

“Kidney failure which was earlier reported only from the Anuradhapura area has now taken hold in the whole North Central region,” says Prof. Sarath Bandara. Meanwhile, officials of the Ministry of Health say that the number of kidney patients were increasing every year. According to Prof. Sarath Bandara young people around 20 to 30 years of age are more prone to kidney disorder than older people.

The research conducted by Prof. Sarath Bandara has revealed many other characteristics about the spread of kidney disease in the North Central area. The “phosphate” is imported to Sri Lanka in stocks to be used in agriculture. Agricultural scientists say that the Phosphate fertilizer contains Cadmium. This fertilizer when applied mixes with the water systems. According to Prof. Sarath Bandara, the research led him to the conclusion that Cadmium is mixed in drinking water and in agro wells, lakes and irrigation sources in the province.

Thus, when Cadmium mixes with drinking water it is directly absorbed into the body. When this continues for a considerable period of time, it causes kidney failures. According to Dr. Atapattu, the Provincial Director of Health Services of the North Central area, 10000 patients with kidney failure are being identified in the region and there are 250 kidney relateddeaths. These kidney patients have been identified through urine and blood samples in the medical clinics held in Anuradapura and the Polonnaruwa district.

It has been found that Cadmium does not dissolve in water, but turns into sludge in water sources. The research also revealed that Cadmium deposits have found their way into food in the North Central area including rice, grain, vegetables and curd. When cows consume pasture mixed with Cadmium, the metal gets into cow’s milk as well.

According to Prof. Buddhi Marambe, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Peradeniya, there is a minimum amount of Cadmium mixed in Eppawala Rock Phosphate. However, there is a very large amount of Cadmium found in the fertilizers imported to Sri Lanka from China.

Posted in cadmium , Central bank of Sri Lanka , kidney diseases , North Central Province , Rajarata , renal failure