Abstract:
Chronic Kidney Disease of Agricultural origin
(CKDa) formerly known as Chronic Kideny Disease
of unknown etiology (CKDu) is one of the biggest
health problems in Sri Lanka. In recent years, a
significant increase in CKDa cases have been
observed in North Central Province (NCP) in Sri
Lanka. Since majority of CKDa patients are farmers
with chronic arsenic toxicity, the present study was
aimed to assess the source of the arsenic in CKDa
patients in selected rice farming areas, Padaviya,
Mahawilachchiya and Polpithigama and evaluate
the amounts of arsenic present in agrochemicals
used by these farmers. This study was
concentrated on the analysis of agrochemicals;
synthetic and natural fertilizers and pesticides which
continuously affect the human health. Samples of
synthetic fertilizer, organic fertilizer and pesticides
(insecticides, weedicides and fungicides) collected
from selected CKDa prevalence areas were
analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometer
using hydride generator and graphite furnace. The
highest amount of arsenic contamination was
reported from triple super phosphate (TSP) used in
cultivation of rice and it was in the range from 25
mg/kg to 37 mg/kg. Since the consumption of TSP
for cultivation in Sri Lanka in 2012 was
approximately 108,000 MT, the amount of arsenic
introduced to Sri Lankan agricultural soils through
imported TSP was calculated to be about 2100 kg.
On contrary, organic fertilizer prepared with plant
organic matter contained very low amounts of
arsenic. Investigations carried out to detect
presence of arsenic in pesticides showed 0.18 ppm
to 2.53 ppm concentration of As. Arsenic has
already been identified as one of the major
etiological factors for the rapidly spreading CKDa
among paddy farmers in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.
Since analysis of soil profiles in the endemic areas
had previously confirmed that source of arsenic is
not from the bed rock, findings of the present study
suggest that agrochemicals are the major source of
arsenic in CKDa endemic areas.
